Stay Work Play named Champion in Action in Workforce Development category

MANCHESTER – Citizens Bank and the New Hampshire Union Leader last night announced Stay Work Play as a 2016 Champion in Action® in the category of strengthening communities through workforce development. Stay Work Play will receive $35,000 in unrestricted funding, media coverage, and extensive promotional and volunteer support for its outstanding work.

Established in 2009, Stay Work Play works collaboratively across New Hampshire, educating young people on the advantages of working and residing in the state. Through their diverse programming – including the Rising Stars Awards, NHinternships.com, the Challenge Grant student loan repayment program, and the young professionals networks – Stay Work Play connects the New Hampshire business community with young professionals searching for employment.

“Stay Work Play offers an indispensable resource to young Granite State residents looking for work, by promoting New Hampshire’s strengths, specifically on an economic and community basis,” said Joe Carelli, New Hampshire president, Citizens Bank. “Given their efforts educating the state’s workforce, we are honored to support their strategic vision for a thriving local economy by naming them as our next Champion in Action.”

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 New Hampshire.

“Alongside Citizens Bank, we are happy to recognize Stay Work Play, for their critical workforce development initiatives that help retain young workers in New Hampshire,” said Joe McQuaid, president and publisher, NH Union Leader.

To date, the program has awarded 45 nonprofits more than $1.2 million in grants and promotional support in New Hampshire.

“Stay Work Play is honored to be a part of Citizens Bank and Union Leader’s Champion in Action program, as it will greatly benefit our state’s economic well-being,” said Kate Luczko, president and chief executive officer, Stay Work Play. “Through this program, we will continue providing a wide array of resources needed to attract and retain a young workforce here in New Hampshire.”

As a Champion in Action, SWP will receive:

• A $35,000 contribution in unrestricted funds from Citizens Bank;
• Printed media coverage from the Union Leader, over the course of six months;
• Volunteer support from Citizens’ and Union Leader’s colleagues;
• The opportunity for the organization’s executive director to participate in a “President-to-President” mentorship;
• Promotional support highlighting the Champion in Action on all Citizens Bank branch DCN screens and on its ATMs;
• Exposure on both Citizens Bank and Union Leader websites.

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