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Media Advisories

LYDIA’S HOUSE, HSBC – NORTH AMERICA
ANNOUNCE FINANCIAL EDUCATION GRANT, LITERACY PROGRAM
Grant to fund financial literacy training for D.C.-area women and girls

WASHINGTON and PROSPECT HEIGHTS, Ill., May 23, 2005 – HSBC – North America announced today it has awarded an $80,000 grant to Lydia’s House to fund nearly 100 financial education workshops in the Washington Metropolitan area over the next year.

The 96 free workshops, computer literacy classes and one-on-one counseling sessions for women between the ages of 18 and 55 are designed to change how low- and moderate-income women think about and use money. The sessions will be held in the District of Columbia Ward 8 at Lydia’s House-operated Women’s Financial Literacy Center.

Lydia’s House is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. HSBC – North America operates a bank branch on Connecticut Avenue and more than a dozen HFC and Beneficial consumer lending branches in suburban Maryland and Virginia.

“A recent Washington Area Women’s Foundation study reports that thirty percent of women and girls in the District of Columbia live in poverty. Funding our financial education work for women is tantamount to HSBC – North America adding another rung on the ladder of economic stability,” said S. Patrice Sheppard, founder and director of Lydia’s House. “This partnership will allow us to double the number of women we work with this year, equipping them with appropriate and necessary tools to effectively manage their money and create a financially healthy future.”

Lydia’s House began its financial literacy programs in 1999. In fiscal year 2004, 150 adults participated in financial literacy and credit counseling. From that group, 60 percent of participants completed an eight-week training; 70 percent used literacy training to have inaccurate information removed from their credit reports; and 25 percent identified and paid off delinquent debt in order to qualify for a mortgage, with 10 percent later purchasing a home.

HSBC also today announced financial education grants totaling more than $1 million to 11 community organizations in Arizona, the District of Columbia, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas and Washington. Individual grants range from $60,000 to $125,000. Target groups include individuals in low-income areas and those in need of credit and homeownership counseling.

“The importance of financial education can not be overstated,” said Loretta Abrams, HSBC – North America’s vice president of community development and consumer advocacy. “So much of our lives – from the interest we pay on our mortgages to our ability to get a job – depends on our understanding of personal finance and the way we manage our money. We applaud Lydia’s House for the great work they’re doing to help individuals and families throughout the area.”

Through its Financial Education Grant program, now in its fourth year, HSBC funds financial literacy initiatives provided by local organizations to meet the financial and credit education needs of their constituents.

The program is managed by the HSBC Center for Consumer Advocacy, which was established in 2003 to direct the company’s broad range of financial education and housing programs and community outreach initiatives. The center also funds grants to educational institutions and maintains the personal financial education Web site www.yourcreditcounts.com.

About Lydia’s House
The mission of Lydia’s House is to improve the quality of life for low-income adults and children by providing tangible services that increase their ability to access educational, economic, recreational and housing opportunities in a timely manner. Lydia’s House implements its mission through three program areas: “Growing Children, Strengthening Families and Changing Neighborhoods.”

Lydia’s House is one of a host of grassroots organizations in Washington, D.C., that are part of the National Center for Neighborhood Enterprise’s Hands-Across Network, and receives capacity-building training and technical assistance from NCNE. The National Center works with HSBC – North America to identify community organizations whose participants would benefit from financial literacy training, and conducts workshops in low-income communities across the nation.

About HSBC – North America
HSBC - North America comprises all of HSBC's U. S. and Canadian businesses, including the former Household businesses. The company’s businesses serve nearly 60 million customers in five key areas: personal financial services, consumer finance, commercial banking, private banking and corporate investment banking and markets. Financial products and services are offered under the HSBC, HFC and Beneficial brands. For more information, visit: www.hsbcusa.com.

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Media Contacts
Rahsaan Johnson, HSBC - North America
Phone: (847) 564-7946
E-mail: rahsaan.a.johnson@us.hsbc.com

Cara Knox, Lydia’s House
Phone: (202) 530-4514
E-Mail: cara_knox@was.bm.com

Heather Humphries, NCNE
Phone: (202) 518-6500
E-Mail: hhumphries@ncne.com

Mayor Anthony Williams, Federal Officials, the Far SW-SE Community Development Corporation (CDC), and Lydia's House Deliver on Promise to Revitalize Far SW-SE DC

Launch of New Technology Facility Brings Resources, Housing Counseling Services and After School Programs to Residents

WHO: The Honorable Anthony Williams, Mayor, District of Columbia
Pastor Patrice Sheppard, co-founder and executive director, Lydia's House
Pastor Eugene Sheppard, co-founder and chairman, Far Southwest-Southeast Community Development Corporation (CDC)
Stan Jackson, director, Department of Housing and Community Development, District of Columbia
Clarence Carter, director, Office of Community Services, U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services
Council member Sandra Allen, District of Columbia, Ward 8
George W. Brown, executive director, Far SW-SE CDC

WHAT: Ribbon cutting ceremony by Mayor Anthony Williams, the children and families of Lydia's House, and city and community officials launching "3939 The Zone," a new community center providing video conference and technology services, after school youth programs and housing counseling services, located at 3939 South Capitol Street in Washington, DC.

Immediately following the ribbon cutting and remarks, Mayor Williams will demonstrate video conferencing capabilities with NASA, to preview distance learning in the community, and will lead a tour of the new facility, unveiling a state-of-the-art tech center, community rooms, after-school facilities, and a new housing counseling agency.

WHEN: Thursday, June 12, 2003 10 AM EDT

WHERE: 3939 South Capitol Street, SW (intersection of South Capitol and
Atlantic Street)

WHY: Marking the culmination of a joint public-private effort to bring services and resources to DC's communities most in need, the ceremony marks the opening of a newly refurbished 6,000 square foot building providing year-round out-of-school programming for children ages 6-12, as well as crucial housing and financial literacy counseling for adults. "The Zone" includes three state-of-the-art computer labs bringing access to technology and video conferencing resources and programs to help children and families compete and thrive in the 21st century.

For additional information contact: Cara Stratman, for Lydia's House at (202) 530-4514.

Mayor Anthony Williams, the Far SW-SE Community Development Corporation (CDC) and Lydia’s House Pave the Way to Revitalizing the Community of Bellevue in Washington, DC

Who: The Honorable Anthony Williams, Mayor, District of Columbia
Council member Sandra Allen, District of Columbia, Ward 8
Stan Jackson, director, Department of Housing and Community Development, District of Columbia
Pastor Eugene Sheppard, co-founder and chairman, Far Southwest-Southeast Community Development Corporation (CDC)
George W. Brown, executive director, Far SW-SE CDC
Pastor Patrice Sheppard, co-founder and executive director, Lydia’s House

What: Groundbreaking ceremony with remarks given by Mayor Anthony Williams, city officials and community leaders who will be donning hard hats with crowbars in hand to commence renovation of 3939 South Capitol Street. Fulfilling his promise to revitalize community neighborhoods in need, the mayor will begin symbolically stripping away the boards that have covered the building for the past eight years in anticipation of a new community center for the citizens of far southwest-southeast DC.

Immediately following there will be a reception across the street at the Washington Highlands Library, 115 Atlantic Street, SW

When: Wednesday, December 18, 2002 at 2:30 PM EST

Where: Outside 3939 South Capitol Street, at the intersection of South Capitol Street and Atlantic Street. Inclimate weather location: Washington Highlands Library, 115 Atlantic Street, SW

Why: Marking the culmination of a joint public and private effort to bring services and resources to DC’s communities in most need, the ceremony kicks off the redevelopment of a 6,000 square foot building the CDC purchased with support from the city in the form of an acquisition grant from the Department of Housing and Community Development, a construction grant from the Federal Government, and general operating grants from foundations.

The event symbolizes the mayor’s commitment to improving the quality of life for the citizens of far southwest-southeast Washington, DC, and how public/privates partnerships between the city, the Federal Government, and non-profits like the CDC and Lydia’s House can bring about lasting change. Lydia’s House is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization serving disadvantaged youth and adults in southeast Washington, DC.

By the spring of 2003 the refurbished space will be open providing year-round out-of-school programs for 200 children ages 6-12, and housing and financial counseling for adults. The site will also contain three computer labs serving as a resource to the community by providing a space whereby children and families have access to technology resources aimed at helping them compete and thrive in the 21st century.

Additional information: Cara Stratman for Lydia’s House, (202) 530-4514

George W. Brown, executive director, Far Southwest-Southeast Community Development Corporation (CDC) speaking in December 2002	Stan Jackson, director, Department of Housing and Community Development, District of Columbia speaking in December 2002

Backgrounder

And what grew out their work and commitment is now, Lydia’s House, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization committed to breaking the cycle of poverty by Growing Children, Strengthening Families and Changing Neighborhoods. In addition to founding Lydia’s House in 1990, the Sheppard’s also started Living Word Church in 1991 and the Far Southwest-Southeast Community Development Corporation (CDC) in 1998.

Today, Lydia’s House provides social services, emotional support and educational resources that address the needs of low-income and at-risk families at every stage of the poverty cycle.

Lydia’s House offers after-school programs for children ages 6-12, technology-based skill development and entrepreneurial training for older youth ages 13-21, as well as substance abuse and teen pregnancy prevention programs, adult literacy, welfare-to-work job readiness training, employment referrals and food and clothing provisions.

As the only Housing and Urban Development (HUD) approved faith-based counseling agency in DC, and one of two housing counseling agencies in Ward 8, Lydia's House is making it possible for first time home buyers to purchase property in the Washington metropolitan area.

Together with the Far Southwest-Southeast Community Development Corporation (CDC), Lydia’s House established the first publicly accessible technology and video conferencing facility in Ward 8. Named “The Zone,” the facility provides year-round out-of-school programs for children as well as crucial housing and financial literacy counseling for area adults.

To learn more about Lydia’s House and how you can get involved, please visit, www.lydiashousendc.org or call, (202) 563-7629.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) - Lydia's House

Q: What is Lydia’s House?
A: Lydia’s House is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization committed to breaking the cycle of poverty by Growing Children, Strengthening Families and Changing Neighborhoods. Located in Washington, DC’s far southwest neighborhood known as Bellevue, Lydia’s House provides social services, emotional support and educational resources that address the needs of low-income and at-risk families at every stage of the poverty cycle.

Q: How did Lydia’s House get started?
A: Lydia’s House, founded in 1990, started with two people, a single dream and a sack of potatoes. In 1989, Pastor Eugene and Patrice Sheppard left comfortable jobs in a safe community and moved to Bellevue, in an attempt to make a difference in the lives of Washington, DC’s poorest men, women and children. They began their work by handing out potatoes from the backseat of their car and came up with the idea for Lydia’s House while working at a local homeless shelter. Under their leadership, Lydia’s House has grown to serve hundreds of families, providing quality services to individuals when they need it, regardless of why.

Q: What is the “Cycle of Poverty?”
A: The cycle of poverty is an environment that is created when income, community investment, labor productivity, education and health provisions exist at low levels. Lydia’s House provides holistic and multifaceted services that address the needs of community members at every stage of the poverty cycle.

Q: What programs does Lydia’s House offer?
A: Lydia’s House offers after-school programs for 120 children ages 6-12, technology-based skill development and entrepreneurial training for more than 160 older youth ages 13-21, as well as substance abuse and teen pregnancy prevention programs. In addition they provide adult literacy programs, welfare to work job readiness training, employment referrals and food and clothing provisions. As the only Housing and Urban Development (HUD) approved faith-based counseling agency in DC, and one of two housing counseling agencies in Ward 8, Lydia's House is making it possible for first time home buyers to purchase property in the Washington metropolitan area.

Q: Who administers these programs?
A: Lydia’s House relies on a mix of trained volunteers and paid staff to run the many services it provides including mentoring, technology and computer training, adult literacy and faith-based education programs.

Q: What is Lydia’s House’s role as a HUD approved counseling agency?
A: Lydia’s House provides pre and post-housing counseling to first time homebuyers. Prospective homeowners participate in several training courses over 17 hours including Budgeting and Credit Management, Shopping for a Loan, Shopping for a Home, Ready for Closing and Caring for Your Home After Closing. Additional services include rental counseling to persons displaced from public housing, credit counseling, reverse mortgage and foreclosure prevention counseling.

Q: How is Lydia’s House funded?
A: Lydia’s House relies on support from individuals, corporations, federal and District government agencies and churches to achieve its funding goals. As a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, Lydia’s House has internal and external accounting policies in place and adheres to the Financial Standard Accounting Board regulations 116 and 117 governing non-profits. Every year, its books are audited by a certified public account to ensure the financial integrity of the organization.

Q: Does Lydia’s House have a Board of Directors?
A: Yes. The Board of Directors provides overall direction to Lydia’s House and often participates in programs based on their personal and professional expertise.

• Eugene M. Sheppard, Chairman
• Patrice Sheppard, Executive Director, Lydia's House
• Shari Brooks
• Nicole Childs
• Stephanie Brandon
• Howard Ross

Q: Who are Lydia’s House’s partners and funders?
A: Primary partners include the Far Southwest-Southeast Community Development Corporation (CDC) and Living Word Church. Funders include other non-profit and charitable organizations, private corporations, and individuals who have greatly enriched Lydia’s House though various gifts.

• Addiction Prevention and Recovery
• Administration, DC Department of Health
• Burke Community Church
• Chevy Chase Bank
• Community Foundation for the National Capitol Region
• DC Children and Youth Investment Corporation
• DC Department of Housing and Community Development
• DC Sports Commission
• Family Research Council
• Fannie Mae Foundation
• Freddie Mac Foundation
• Georgetown Presbyterian Church
• Jovid Foundation
• Philip Graham Fund
• Poor Roberts Foundation
• Promise Keepers Foundation
• Public Welfare Foundation
• The Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation
• The Summit Fund of Washington
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• Washington Area Women's Foundation
• Weissberg Foundation
  

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) - 3939 "The Zone"

Q: What is the name of this building?
A: Located at 3939 South Capitol Street in southwest DC, the name of this building is “The Zone.” Lydia’s House spoke with residents and children in the community who will most benefit from the new facility to identify what they desired in a new community center. They unanimously agreed they wanted a “Zone”—a place in the neighborhood designed to meet their needs. In honor of that wish, approximately 2,000 of the 6,000 square feet of the site is dedicated for their use and appropriately named “The Zone.”

Q: How is the building being used?
A: "The Zone" is a new community center providing the residents of Ward 8 with video conferencing capabilities, three state-of-the-art computer labs, after-school youth programs, community rooms, and financial and housing counseling services for adults. Lydia’s House will also provide social services and educational resources to help children and families compete and thrive in the 21st century.

In addition, the site will house the offices of the Far Southwest-Southeast Community Development Corporation (CDC).

Q: Who will benefit from this building?
A: Everyone in the community will be able to use and benefit from the programs offered at the center.

Q: How did 3939 "The Zone" become a reality?
A: Marking the culmination of a joint public-private effort to bring services and resources to DC's communities most in need, “The Zone” is the culmination of the hard work led by Lydia’s House and the Far SW-SE CDC to form partnerships with officials from the city of Washington, DC and the federal government to obtain a series of acquisition, construction and general operating grants to create the center.

Q: What was this building before it became "The Zone?"
A: The building originally housed a “CARE” drug store but has been abandoned since the mid-1990’s.

Biographies

Eugene M. Sheppard, Founder

S. Patrice Sheppard, Co-Founder and Executive Director

Press Contact

Cara L. Knox
Burson-Marsteller
202-530-4514
cara_knox@was.bm.com