Southern Bancorp Community Partners' new Community Champions program aims to provide up to $8,000 in home purchase or renovation assistance to teachers, nurses, police officers, firefighters and other local public servants. The program is one of four Southern Bancorp projects funded with a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. “The Community Champions program rewards those who leverage their time and talents for the good of our community by helping them make Helena their long-term home," said Brooke Gerber, Community Champions coordinator and Southern Bancorp consultant. Other programs Southern Bancorp is facilitating in partnership with HUD include the Helena Jobs Incentives, the Riverside Renewal Project and the Helena Start-up Challenge.