F&M Bank has joined Goodwill of Northwest North Carolina in lending its support to Rowan Crosby Scholars’ efforts to bring a college-going culture to Rowan County. 
In late September, with a generous offer from F&M, Rowan Crosby moved to first floor offices in the F&M Professional Center. 
“We are so appreciative of this prime location” said Jennifer Canipe, Rowan Crosby executive director, “When we look at all that F&M is providing for us, it equates to over $20,000 that we’ll be able to put toward student programming this year.  With an initial enrollment of over 1,700 students, F&M’s help is much needed!”
Rowan Crosby Scholars is a college access program available in every public middle and high school in Rowan County.  Its mission is to prepare students personally, academically and financially for education beyond high school. 
“We are excited about F&M’s support and all of the support we’re garnering in the community,” said Gwin Barr, Crosby board chairwoman.
“And of course, we wouldn’t even be here without the support of Goodwill of Northwest North Carolina,” Barr said. “It was a coup that we came upon the Forsyth Crosby program at the exact time they were partnering with Goodwill to expand their college access model. With financial resources from Goodwill’s retail operations, the first expansion of the Crosby program has been into Rowan County.”
“Goodwill’s mission is helping people overcome barriers to unemployment,” Goodwill CEO, Art Gibel said. “It’s obvious that the biggest obstacle to employment in this day and age is education.  Donating and shopping at Goodwill creates the funds we are using to support the Crosby Scholars program in its work helping Rowan County youth access post-secondary education.”
According to F&M Bank President and CEO Steve Fisher, “Education is the origin of every successful individual, every thriving community and the gateway to true racial and economic equality. F&M Bank is proud to partner with our friends at Goodwill in supporting Rowan Crosby Scholars … helping to make the dream of a higher education a reality for all the young people of Rowan County.”