Rockland Trust: ‘Housing Assistance Earns It Year after Year’
DONOR SPOTLIGHT
Rockland Trust has been a longtime partner of Housing Assistance, but this year significantly increased its investment as a Leadership Sponsor at the $50,000 giving level.
“I think it’s the largest organization we support on Cape Cod,” said John Cotton, vice president for commercial lending with Rockland Trust Company. “Like anything else, you have to make your case and you have to fight for funding, and Housing Assistance earns it year after year.”
“It’s a mutually beneficial partnership. I think we provide a good service to Housing Assistance, as far as banking services, and Housing Assistance does such a great job in the community. Whether it’s counseling, financial assistance or maybe a sheltering situation because a family has fallen on severe hard times, there are so many ways Housing Assistance helps the community.”
In November, Rockland Trust representatives presented Housing Assistance with a $10,000 grant in support of our programs.
Cotton said he’s seen the effect the regional housing crisis has on clients and colleagues, and even in his own family. “I bought my house years ago for $175,000 and neighbors thought I overpaid. Two years later, a house on our street sold for $225,000 and it was smaller than ours. Prices since then have risen so fast, I don’t know how my kids will be able to afford a house unless they take over the family house. How else are they going to do it?”
Cotton has been a Mashpee selectman for over a decade and serves as an assistant scoutmaster for Troop 36 in Mashpee. The troop participated in Housing Assistance’s Big Fix event for several years, assisting with home repairs and yard clean-ups in Mashpee, Brewster and Orleans. “Every scout signed up for it immediately and it was the most rewarding event of the year,” he said.
With branches from New Hampshire and Maine to Cape Cod, Rockland Trust supports hundreds of nonprofits. Why did Rockland step up its sponsorship level for Housing Assistance? “Housing Assistance does so many different things for the community,” said Cotton, who is based on Rockland’s Hyannis office. “Whether it’s helping people to start their life with homebuyer counseling or helping them get back on their feet when they have a rough time, it’s an organization that really makes a difference in people’s lives.”
As the housing crisis continues to challenge communities across Cape Cod, partnerships like this are more important than ever. Rockland Trust’s increased investment will help Housing Assistance expand its reach and continue delivering critical services to those who need them most. Together, they are helping to ensure that more individuals and families have a safe, stable place to call home and a stronger foundation for the future.
