ORLANDO, Fla., Nov. 1, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- LIFT Orlando announced today a $1.2 million grant from the SunTrust Foundation spread over three years to establish the SunTrust Financial Well-Being Center at the Communities of West Lakes. The center will offer residents a wide range of support services to help them gain financial confidence.

The SunTrust Financial Well-Being Center will initially be located at the HUB, the current office space for LIFT Orlando. The center will offer age-appropriate financial education and financial counseling services such as budgeting, saving, credit repair and homeownership, as well as employment services.

"We are very grateful for this generous multiyear grant that enables important personal finance services for residents in the Communities of West Lakes," said Eddy Moratin, executive director, LIFT Orlando. "This new partnership will further the goals of long-term economic viability in the neighborhood, which is vital to building a stronger community."

Through a partnership with Goodwill Industries of Central Florida, two dedicated employees will staff the SunTrust Financial Well-Being Center. They will schedule classes, workshops, events and one-on-one meetings with financial well-being advisors for residents in addition to promoting the center's services.

"Helping people progress from basic economic stability to achieving sustainable financial confidence is a priority of the SunTrust Foundation's work," said Stan Little, president of the SunTrust Foundation. "The SunTrust Financial Well-Being Center will provide critical resources residents need to help them and their community thrive."

The new center is estimated to provide financial workshops and services for more than 350 residents annually to help stimulate and strengthen the neighborhood economy.

"We're proud to partner with LIFT Orlando to reach more people in the community with financial counseling and education to further strengthen their financial well-being," said Scott Cathcart, SunTrust Bank Florida division president, speaking on behalf of the SunTrust Foundation.

About LIFT Orlando  
LIFT Orlando is a nonprofit organization consisting of business leaders partnering with residents to drive investments that strengthen the Communities of West Lakes through mixed-income housing, cradle-to-career education, community health and wellness, and long-term economic viability. LIFT was founded in 2012 in partnership with Florida Citrus Sports for the benefit of the residents living in the shadows of Camping World Stadium and serves the key role of a "community quarterback" to unlock the power of collective impact by coordinating the geographically focused efforts of multiple organizations around a single neighborhood. Learn more at www.liftorlando.org.

About SunTrust Foundation  
The SunTrust Foundation is dedicated to SunTrust Bank's (NYSE: STI) purpose of Lighting the Way to Financial Well-Being by engaging organizations to advance financial confidence. Grants and activities focus primarily on financial empowerment, but also include education, health and human services, civic improvement and cultural growth. The SunTrust Foundation supports American Red Cross disaster relief efforts and contributes as a United Way Global Corporate Leader. Established in 2008, the SunTrust Foundation has proudly provided grants totaling more than $140 million throughout the United States.

SOURCE SunTrust Foundation