InnerCity Weightlifting named Champion in Action in Workforce Development category

BOSTON – Citizens Bank and necn today announced InnerCity Weightlifting (ICW) as a 2016 Champion in Action® in the category of Strengthening Communities through workforce development. InnerCity Weightlifting will receive $35,000 in unrestricted funding, media coverage, and extensive promotional and volunteer support for its outstanding work.

InnerCity Weightlifting’s mission is to promote achievement for at-risk young people in the City of Boston, specifically through the creation of a career track focused on economic mobility and social inclusion. In addition to a personal training course recognized by the National Academy of Sports Medicine, participating students are given paid, hands-on job experience. Today, InnerCity Weightlifting has two dedicated training facilities, 159 enrolled students and more than 240 personal training clients.

“InnerCity Weightlifting does a tremendous job improving the lives of others by providing meaningful employment opportunities,” said Quincy Miller, president, Citizens Bank, Massachusetts. “Through our Champions in Action program, Citizens Bank is committed to aiding organizations like InnerCity Weightlifting, which acts as a positive deterrent for at-risk youth through their workforce development program. We are privileged to partner with them and look forward to helping the organization further its mission.”

Champions in Action is part of Citizens Helping Citizens Strengthen Communities, the bank’s program designed to enhance quality of life and economic vitality in local communities. It provides support for small nonprofit organizations to recognize their contributions to communities throughout Massachusetts.

“Alongside Citizens Bank, we are proud to support InnerCity Weightlifting, which offers Boston students job opportunities in a fun, active work environment,” said Mike St. Peter, general manager, necn. “As a Champion in Action, InnerCity Weightlifting fills a critical need in our region by offering a career track to a traditionally economically challenged demographic.”

“InnerCity Weightlifting is honored to be a part of Citizens Bank and necn’s illustrious Champion in Action program, which benefits so many Massachusetts residents each year,” said Jon Feinman, executive director, InnerCity Weightlifting. “Through this partnership, we will continue our efforts at guiding students to meaningful careers in and beyond personal training, as we continue to replace segregation and isolation with economic mobility and social inclusion.”

As a Champion in Action, InnerCity Weightlifting will receive:

• A $35,000 contribution in unrestricted funds from Citizens Bank;
• Media coverage from necn, including public service announcements and television profiles over the course of six months;
• Volunteer support from Citizens’ and necn’s colleagues;

• The opportunity for the organization’s executive director to participate in a “President-to-President” mentorship;
• Extensive public relations support;
• Promotional support highlighting the Champion in Action on all Citizens Bank branch DCN screens and on its ATMs;
• Exposure on both Citizens Bank and necn websites.

For more information about the Citizens Bank and necn Champions in Action program, visit www.citizensbank.com/community/champions.