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MILFORD, N.H. – The Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley
has been named a 2014 Champion in Action® for youth programming by Citizens
Bank and the New Hampshire Union Leader. Through this initiative, the Boys
& Girls Club will receive a $35,000 grant from the Citizens Bank Foundation,
media coverage, and extensive marketing and volunteer support.
The award honors the Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan
Valley for its strategic efforts to deepen its mission impact and reach more
youth. Based in Milford, the club provides youth development through early
education, before- and after-school care, theater arts, teen outreach, and
summer and vacation programming. In the last three years, the organization has
increased its membership by 60 percent and now serves nearly 900 children and
teens. The club has tripled the scope of its financial assistance and increased
unrestricted donations by $100,000, providing greater access to its programs
for low-income families. The club also coordinates a community-based outreach
program, Community Action for Safe Teens (CAST), which helps reduce drug and
alcohol abuse among teens through education and advocacy. Through CAST, teens
and adults work together to change the social norms around underage drinking
and drug abuse.
“Citizens Bank is
proud to recognize the Boys & Girls Club as the newest Champion in Action
for service to youth in our communities,” said Joe Carelli, President of
Citizens Bank and RBS Citizens, New Hampshire. “In addition to providing a safe
place for children to learn and grow, the club is a leader in addressing issues
that impact children and teens. We applaud the club’s leadership for ensuring
that their programs are available to those most in need.”
The Champions in Action program is part of Citizens Helping
Citizens Strengthen Communities, the bank’s initiative designed to enhance
quality of life and economic vitality in local communities. Launched in 2002 to
recognize, support and promote nonprofit organizations for their contributions
to New Hampshire communities, the program has awarded more than $1 million in
grants and promotional support to 49 local nonprofits.
“It is a tremendous honor for our organization to be
selected as a Champion in Action,” said Susan Taylor, Executive Director of the
Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley. “We’re excited about the recognition
of the importance of our mission and strategy. There are more children who need
us, and we cannot serve them without the continue support from our community,
and organizations like Citizens Bank and the New Hampshire Union Leader.”
For more information about the Citizens Bank Champions in
Action program, visit
www.citizensbank.com/community/champions. To learn more about the Boys
& Girls Club of Souhegan Valley, visit www.svbgc.org.
