Stay Work Play Wins Action Grant

MANCHESTER, NH - Stay Work Play, an initiative focused on helping New Hampshire attract and retain younger workers, has been awarded a $35,000 Champions in Action grant from Citizens Bank for its programs that promote workforce development, according to a press statement.

The Champions in Action program supports deserving nonprofits with volunteer support, mentorship, and promotional assistance, in addition to the financial award.

“We are so grateful to Citizen’s Bank for selecting us as the winner of their Champions in Action grant for workforce development,” said Kate Luczko, president and CEO of Stay Work Play New Hampshire. “We know that having a vibrant workforce in New Hampshire will enhance our economy, yet we have many high quality and well-paying jobs that go unfilled. This grant will allow us to put more resources into our efforts to highlight why New Hampshire is such a great place to stay, work and play with a specific focus on internships and ultimately, jobs.”

The award was presented at a Jan. 12, 2016, event at GYK Antler, where Joe Carelli, president of Citizens Bank lauded the organization’s efforts. To date, the program has awarded 45 nonprofits more than $1.2 million in grants and promotional support in New Hampshire.

“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,” Carelli said. “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.”

For more information about Stay Work Play, visit stayworkplay.org. For more information about the Citizens Bank and Union Leader Champions in Action program, visit citizensbank.com/community/champions.

Caption: From left to right, Shannon Sullivan, community relations manager for the New Hampshire Union Leader, Joseph Carelli, President of Citizens Bank NH and VT, Kate Luczko, President and CEO of Stay Work Play, Mark Brown, Stay Work Play Board of Directors Co-Chair and Director of Sales for the Grappone Automotive Group, and Matt Toy, Stay Work Play Board of Directors Co-Chair and SVP, Customer Experience at Dyn.