Dismas House Receives $15k Grant From Fifth Third Bank

September 7, 2021

Leading Middle Tennessee reentry program, Dismas House of Nashville, announced it has received a $15,000 grant from Fifth Third Bank to expand its financial literacy program for residents. The funds will support the technology and financial education program through a customized digital learning platform on the basics of banking.

The Fifth Third Bank financial education curriculum includes four courses for Dismas House residents: Budgeting & Saving, Boosting Credit, Slashing Debt and Protecting Your Identity. In addition, they introduced a fifth bonus course called First Time Homeownership.

Since June 2020, residents have opened 43 bank accounts with Fifth Third Bank with an emphasis on saving. Fifth Third does not charge any fees for residents and will open accounts for those with prior convictions removing one of the many barriers to reentry.

“Our program partnership with Fifth Third Bank enables us to provide more financial education services to our residents,” says Dr. Julie Doochin, vice president of programs, Dismas House of Nashville. “The benefits of these programs are invaluable to residents and enable them to purchase cars, rent apartments, reduce debt and save for the future.”