Mutual One Bank Content

Mark R. Haranas, president and CEO of MutualOne Bank and Chairman of the MutualOne Charitable Foundation has announced a $10,000 grant to support the summer camp program at Musterfield Place, a residential development managed by the Framingham Housing Authority (FHA).

According to Paul Landers, FHA director, the program serves approximately 40 children a day over a 9-week summer schedule, with staff sourced from residents and past attendees of Musterfield Place at Framingham Housing Authority.

“We are pleased to continue our support for Musterfield Place summer camp,” said Haranas. “it is important that we provide the youth of our community with memorable summer activities.”

Mark R. Haranas, president and CEO of MutualOne Bank and Chairman of the MutualOne Charitable Foundation, has announced a $10,000 grant to Advocates, a human services provider, to support their free mental health care program for senior citizens in Framingham and Natick.

“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Advocates has seen an increase in mental health needs,” says Diane Gould, president and CEO of Advocates. “Those with existing mental health challenges are experiencing increased symptoms and many people who have not had mental health challenges are now seeking support.”

“Advocates serves some of the most vulnerable segments of our society,” said Haranas. “We are pleased to provide funding so they may continue providing these valuable services to residents of Framingham and Natick.”

Steven M. Sousa, executive vice president and chief operating officer of MutualOne Bank and a MutualOne Charitable Foundation trustee has announced a $10,000 grant to maintain the Framingham History Center’s relationship with the Framingham Public Schools.

According to Executive Director Annie Murphy, the Framingham History Center has high hopes that field trips and school visits will resume as normal in the new school year. “It is such an uncertain time, and we are working to cover all eventualities,” said Murphy.

“The Framingham History Center proposes to create a menu of both virtual and in-person learning for Framingham Public School students,” said Sousa. “This grant should help the Framingham History Center be ready with enriching local history as teachers resume classroom instruction this fall,” said Sousa.

Steven M. Sousa, executive vice president and chief operating officer of MutualOne Bank and a Foundation trustee, announced a $5,000 grant to Read to a Child to support their Read Aloud Mentoring Program at the Woodrow Wilson and Brophy elementary schools in Framingham.

The Read Aloud Mentoring Program pairs high-risk students in grades one through four with adult volunteer mentors for weekly one-on-one read aloud sessions. MutualOne Bank has supported Read to a Child annually since 2013.

“The Read to a Child Mentoring Program is a model for helping high-risk children achieve academic success,” said Sousa. “We are pleased to continue our support through the MutualOne Foundation.”

Steven M. Sousa, executive vice president and chief operating officer of MutualOne Bank and a MutualOne Charitable Foundation trustee has announced a $5,000 grant to Programs for People, Inc., an organization founded to help those who are experiencing serious mental health challenges to engage more successfully in all aspects of life.

“Programs for People, Inc. offers comprehensively designed services to help adults with serious mental health challenges who reside in the Metrowest area,” said Sousa. “The MutualOne Charitable Foundation is pleased to support this important effort.”

Mark R. Haranas, president and CEO of MutualOne Bank and chairman of the MutualOne Charitable Foundation, announced a $12,000 grant to the Framingham Police Association to support the City’s efforts to upgrade the Veterans Memorial Park located at the Musterfield on Concord Street.

“The Veterans Memorial was last updated in 1985,” said Framingham Police Lt. Robert Downing. “Since then, there has been a generation of Veterans who have defended this country and deserve the recognition on this memorial alongside those who served before them.”

The upgrades to the Park will include cleaning the memorial by famed American Sculptor Emilius R. Ciampa erected in 1952 and associated plaques, add additional plaques to honor conflicts after Vietnam, install flag poles for each branch of the military, repair walkways and other surfaces to bring them into compliance with ADA requirements, and add signage and story boards to document the history of Framingham’s veterans.

“It is important that we recognize and remember the sacrifices made by others for our freedom,” said Haranas. “The Veterans Memorial Park is a fitting tribute, and we are proud to support this effort.”