Boston’s Mercantile Bank has donated funds through its Social Responsibility committee to help Project Place Inc. purchase a van to transport clients to job sites.

Project Place provides programming for those challenged by addiction, mental illness, domestic violence, a criminal past and poverty, according to a statement. The nonprofit also offers affordable, permanent housing and employment training.

"We found that Project Place’s services were being limited because they could not move people back and forth to job sites where Project Place had contracted services," said Mercantile Bank Vice President Stephen Lucitt. "Through the bank’s Social Responsibility committee, we were able to provide funds so they could purchase a van."

"We needed a bigger van to keep up with the growth of our social enterprises – small businesses that create jobs for our homeless clients," said Project Place Executive Director Suzanne Kenney. "Mercantile Bank knew the importance of helping us create more opportunity for those in need and without any hesitation came through for us."