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Fremont Bank and Davis Street Family Resource Center Share Vision of Providing Support to Low-Income Families
May 18th fundraising event to help improve quality of life of deserving people in the San Leandro community

FREMONT, California - May 18, 2009 - The motto of San Leandro-based Davis Street Family Resource Center (DSFRC) says it all; helping others help themselves. Since its inception, the agency’s mission has been to help people with low income in San Leandro and surrounding areas improve the quality of their life through short- and long-term assistance. 

Throughout the San Leandro community, many residents and organizations get involved and share in this mission by volunteering their time and raising money—including DSFRC’s long-time partner, Fremont Bank.  

For nearly 20 years, Fremont Bank and DSFRC have forged not just a partnership, but a mutually-respected and tight-knit bond. During the agency’s “rebirth” in the early 1990s (at which time it was named Davis Street Community Center), Fremont Bank was there to support the vision of the newly named executive director, Rose Padilla Johnson, to grow the agency in the area of family support.  During this time, the agency underwent considerable change.  From developing a free medical clinic, to opening a much needed quality and licensed childcare facility, the agency found solace through its banking partner, Fremont Bank.

“We learned very early in the relationship that working with Fremont Bank meant more than just them helping us with our banking needs.  They understand what our needs are and it continues to be refreshing to know that they ‘get us,’ and are there to help us along the way,” says Padilla Johnson.  “Fremont Bank’s professionalism coupled with their remarkable spirit of giving aligns well with our mission to help the deserving residents of the San Leandro community.”

Beyond the banking and financial counseling, Fremont Bank also gets involved in volunteering during Davis Street activities through the bank’s Team HEROES—a group of Fremont Bank associates who volunteer their time in support of the program’s mission to Help, Educate, Recognize, Organize, Embrace, and Serve the community.  

“We cherish the relationship we have with Davis Street,” says Brian Hughes, Fremont Bank's Relationship Officer for Nonprofit Agencies. “Where there’s a need, we’re always there to wholeheartedly support them.”

Davis Street Family Resource is also an invaluable partner to Fremont Bank.  “We respect Rose’s extraordinary insights and her opinions help us to grow as a bank, as well as be an integral part of the communities we serve.”

To continue the tradition of helping others in San Leandro and raise needed money for the agency, DSFRC is holding its signature fundraising event, “Opera Night,” on Monday, May 18th with performances by local musicians Katya Roemer, Lisa van der Ploeg, Silas Elash and pianist Robert Ashens.  The event will begin at 5:30 PM in the parking lot of Paradiso on Bancroft Avenue in San Leandro.  “People come to have a good time, enjoy an evening of fine dining and a program that celebrates their generosity,” adds Johnson.

About Fremont Bank
Fremont Bank (www.fremontbank.com) is the leading full-service community bank in Northern California. Founded in 1964, Fremont Bank is one of the oldest independent family owned and managed banks in the region and focuses on personalized service for individuals and businesses. It serves communities through 23 branches and seven additional ATMs throughout the Greater Bay Area. Exceptional client service is the cornerstone of Fremont Bank's business. Accommodation of customer needs in a friendly, personal atmosphere characterizes the bank's culture.

About Davis Street Family Resource Center
The Davis Street Family Resource Center provides critically needed services to an average of 1,000 low-income families and seniors each month in the San Leandro, San Lorenzo, Castro Valley, Ashland, and surrounding communities.  They provide a wide range of support services to over 10,000 low-income families annually.  Their mission is to help people with low income of the Eden area and surrounding communities improve their quality of life through short- and long-term assistance. Davis Street provides a seamless network of support—including childcare, emergency food and clothing, free medical and dental care, counseling and mental health services, employment training, parent education and early literacy classes, income tax assistance, information and referral, and community outreach—to low-income families.

For further information about the agency contact Davis Street at 510-347-4620 or visit www.davisstreet.org.