Eastern Bank yesterday awarded Boston Mayor Thomas Menino with the 25th annual Wainwright Social Justice Award.

The award recognizes nonprofits or individuals who have achieved outstanding success in addressing social justice issues. Menino received the honor for his "commitment to workforce development and job skills training," according to a press release.

In the early 2000s, Menino worked with the business community and created public-private partnerships that led to millions of dollars being set aside for skills-training programs, English language learning and grant money for employers to upgrade the skills of entry-level employees. In 2003, he joined forces with The Boston Foundation and created a five-year workforce development initiative designed to keep Boston and the region on the forefront of national workforce development issues.

This past June, Menino and Gov. Deval Patrick announced a first-of-its-kind partnership between the city and state to connect education and careers. Known as the Roxbury Massachusetts Advanced Polytech Pathway, the program invites local vocational students to enroll directly at Roxbury Community College.  After graduation, they connect with local employers in high-demand careers. 

As part of the Social Justice Award, Menino directed a $25,000 donation from the Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation to Camp Harbor View, a summer camp for at-risk youth that he co-founded.   

The bank also honored almost 100 Massachusetts organizations dedicated to workforce development training before a crowd of 600 people at an evening reception in downtown Boston yesterday. 

"We are grateful to Mayor Menino and the organizations that we recognize today, because they continue to provide opportunities for others to gain the skills they need to find work or advance their career," Richard Holbrook, chairman and CEO of Eastern Bank, said in a statement.