PrestonMartin

Evening Festivities Will Also Feature a Celebration for Program Graduates

OAKLAND, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Former Vice Chairman of the Federal Reserve and Operation HOPE (HOPE) National Board Member, Preston Martin and his wife, Genevieve Rogg Martin, will be honored in memoriam by HOPE in a ceremony dedicating the Preston & Genevieve Martin Homeownership Counseling Center to their memory. The Martins' daughter, Kathy Rogg, will be on-hand to commemorate the family's long-time support of HOPE and to celebrate the new program addition. Following the tribute will be a client appreciation ceremony and reception.

The activities will begin at 6pm PT on Wednesday, May 6th at the Oakland HOPE Banking Center Network (HBCN) located at 3062 E. 9th Street in the Fruitvale District. The Preston & Genevieve Martin Homeownership Counseling Center Dedication Ceremony will be followed by presentation of completion certificates for graduates of the entrepreneur training, case management, and homeownership programs, followed by a 7:30pm PT networking session and reception. The event is free and open to the public.

“In 2007, the Martins' $1 million gift became the largest individual donation in the history of the organization. Dr. Martin was HOPE's chief advocate for 15 years, a dear friend and founding board member," said John Hope Bryant, HOPE founder, chairman and CEO. "We are proud to pay tribute to the Martins' legacy by designating this program in their memory. Those who would not have had the opportunity to see themselves in a better future, and a better place, now will be able to do so because of the Martins' dedication to HOPE’s ‘silver rights’ mission to empower underserved communities."

The center has been serving the East Bay and surrounding communities since 2001, working to ensure that area low-wealth residents move from being renters to homeowners and small business dreamers to entrepreneurial leaders. HOPE is committed to eradicating poverty, and promoting dignity, through a “silver rights” mission of financial literacy and empowerment. With local community leaders and community partnerships, the HOPE Center in Oakland continues its commitment of providing financial counseling, home ownership education, and facilitating small business start-ups at no to low-cost for customers.

“The HOPE Center’s mission is to forge a pathway for individuals who are seeking the silver-lining during a time of increasing reliance on pay-day advances, mortgage increases, and the rising cost of goods. Their opportunities are boosted by the generosity of the Martins' gift,” said Tyrone Cosey, Vice President of the Oakland HCBN.

If you would like more information, please contact Irma Guerrero at 510-535-6700 or email at irma.guerrero@operationhope.org.

About Operation HOPE, Inc.

Operation HOPE is America's leading nonprofit social investment banking and financial literacy empowerment organization. With more than 400 private sector partners, 1500 nonprofit organizations and schools, and 100 government partners in 68 major U.S. cities as well as South Africa, HOPE has raised more than $500 million in its pursuit of educating, assisting and inspiring the next generation of global stakeholders. Through international initiatives and its three principal programs, Banking on Our Future (teaching school children about money), HOPE Coalition America (Mortgage HOPE Crisis Hotline, 1-888-388-HOPE, financial emergency preparedness and disaster relief), and Walk-In HOPE Centers (loans, bill pay, computer literacy, understanding banking principles), Operation HOPE has delivered services to more than one million low-wealth individuals and assumed the responsibility of piloting the Silver Rights Movement towards making free enterprise and capitalism relevant to all underserved communities. To learn more about HOPE, visit www.operationhope.org. or read our blog at www.operationhope.org/blog.

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