While Intero Realty is little more than a year old, its philanthropic foundation is already at work in the community. When Gino Blefari left National Realty Trust to found a new company, he dreamed of a business that strove to better the lives of its employees and the communities they served. In a year's time, the realty has grown to 13 offices with 500 real estate agents who are dedicated to the "intero"—Latin and Italian for "entire"—picture.

In November, the Intero Foundation awarded $15,000 to the Crosscultural Community Services Center to support its Homework Center Program at Katherine R. Smith Elementary School in San Jose.

The grant will help "continue building the bridge that reaches out to the disenfranchised of our community, allowing them to cross over into sustainable self-independence," said founding CCSC board member Helen Lee.

The CCSC Homework Center provides academic tutoring, homework assistance and in-class instructional assistance during and after school hours for elementary school students, primarily those who are from low socioeconomic families and who are newly arrived immigrants.

CCSC provides education, employment training and placement, cross-cultural and social adjustment, and information referral services to approximately 1,200 at-risk youth and families in Santa Clara County.

Executive Vice President of Intero Real Estate Services and Managing Officer of Intero San Jose Terry Meyer said, "We feel privileged to support the wonderful achievements CCSC is making in our San Jose community and we are proud to share the philosophy of giving with them."

—Beth Walker