Citizens Bank "Champions in Action" Award

OHAAT receives $50,000 from Citizens Bank to modernize operations and expand capacity to serve more children through the Beds for Kids program

One House at a Time (OHAAT) is deeply grateful to Citizens Bank for naming us a recipient of the Champions in Action: Building AI Readiness and Capacity in Nonprofits award, providing $50,000 to support our AI-enabled operations initiative. This kind of investment in a small, community-based nonprofit is rare, and it reflects a belief in OHAAT’s mission and our team that we don't take lightly. Citizens Bank didn't just fund a project; they recognized the operational courage it takes for an organization like ours to look honestly at how we work and commit to doing better.

The impact of this gift reaches far beyond our office. With Citizens Bank's support, the thousands of children served by the Beds for Kids program each year will benefit from faster intake and quicker referral routing. The added capacity will also strengthen our workforce development programs, including our high school and college internships and Youth Ambassador Committee. This is what it looks like when a corporate partner invests not just in an outcome, but in an organization's long-term capacity to grow.

What made this award even more meaningful was the day itself. When Citizens Bank presented the check, they didn't just hand it over and head out. Instead, a large group of their employees rolled up their sleeves and volunteered alongside our team, pitching in on the very work this award will help us scale. It was a powerful reminder that Citizens Bank's commitment to our mission goes well beyond a dollar amount. We are proud to be recognized as a Citizens Bank Champion in Action, and even more proud of what this partnership will make possible: faster help for families in crisis, better data to identify underserved communities, and more children with a safe place to sleep tonight. Thank you, Citizens Bank, for seeing what we're building, showing up for it in person, and helping us build it faster.

Watch the Fox 29 coverage here: https://bit.ly/ohaat-citizens