First Financial Bank awarded a total of $50,000 in grants to seven Northwest Indiana organizations.

The grants are part of the bank’s mission to make a positive impact through donations that enhance and develop local communities. 

“Serving communities is part of our culture, and we see these donations through our local partner organizations as investments in people and neighborhoods to create positive outcomes that will benefit us all,” said Roddell McCullough, First Financial Bank chief corporate responsibility officer, in a press release. 

Throughout its four-state footprint of Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Ohio, First Financial awarded $510,000. The company awarded funds to 73 organizations. The funding will support projects that promote neighborhood development, workforce development and education and culture, with a particular focus on low-income communities. 

Sojourner Truth House in Gary is among this year’s recipients. The funding will support its career services program.

“This partnership strengthens our mission to provide our clients with essential career training, including credentialed certificates, web design, computer skills and entrepreneurship,” Warren Johnson, donor relations officer, said. “These opportunities restore dignity, instill hope and equip our participants with the tools they need for stability and self-sufficiency.” 

Additional recipients in the area include A Better Way Co-Op in Williamsport, Computer Skills and Training Center and Gary Community Partnership Corporation in Gary, Homestead Resources in Lafayette and The Center of Workforce Innovations and United Way of Northwest Indiana, both in Valparaiso. 

First Financial Bancorp. is a Cincinnati, Ohio based bank holding company. Founded in 1863, First Financial Bank provides banking and financial services products. The company operates 128 banking centers in Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois and Ohio.