Steppingstone Scholars Named Champion in Action

PHILADELPHIA – Steppingstone Scholars, a nonprofit that creates pathways to educational and workforce opportunities for talented, underserved students in Philadelphia, has been named a 2021 Champion in Action® in the category of Social Equity & Inclusion. The award, announced jointly by Citizens, NBC10/Telemundo62, and the Philadelphia Inquirer includes $35,000 in unrestricted funding, as well as promotional and volunteer support for the organization’s outstanding work.

Steppingstone Scholars is addressing the issues of educational inequity and the impacts of institutional racism from a multi-faceted approach. In addition to providing long-term support throughout each student’s academic journey, they have also launched the Scholar Advocacy Program, which allows Steppingstone alumni to mentor current scholars and Steppingstone leadership to work with partner schools to understand challenges their scholars may be facing. Additionally, Steppingstone Scholars created an Anti-Institutional Racism Committee to shift the burden of discrimination and create ways for students' equality and humanity to be recognized and served by the schools and organizations they are a part of.

Champions in Action is part of Citizens Helping Citizens, the bank’s initiative designed to help local communities prosper. It provides support for nonprofit organizations to recognize their contributions to communities throughout the greater Philadelphia region.

“Steppingstone Scholars and their pursuit to elevate underserved youth through education and workforce development makes them a highly deserving Champion in Action,” said Dan Fitzpatrick, President, Citizens, Mid-Atlantic Region. “This funding will help Steppingstone continue their efforts of increasing the college completion rate, lowering the average cost of college, and embedding college and career placement services in more public high schools.”

“NBC10 and Telemundo62 are pleased to recognize Steppingstone Scholars as a Champion in Action for social equity and inclusion,” said Ric Harris, President and General Manager of NBC10 and Telemundo62. “Through strategic partnerships, the organization is building pipelines from our public schools to jobs in Philadelphia’s growing STEM careers. We are honored to be a part of their journey.”

“Steppingstones Scholars has big goals, and the Philadelphia Inquirer is proud to help reach them,” said Jenice Armstrong, columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer. “They are doing great things for the talented youth of Philadelphia.”

"Creating real pathways to overcome systemic racial and socioeconomic inequality would not be possible without the support of organizations like Citizens, NBC10/Telemundo62 and The Philadelphia Inquirer,” said Sean E. Vereen, President of Steppingstone Scholars. “The 2021 Champion in Action® grant will help further our programmatic initiatives, creating pathways to college and the workforce for talented, underserved students in Philadelphia. There is much work to be done to combat the inequalities that have held all of us as Philadelphians back for decades, and we are working tirelessly to invest in our children who will use their talents to make the city more equitable and prosperous."

As a Champion in Action, Steppingstone Scholars will receive:

• A $35,000 contribution in unrestricted funds from Citizens;
• Media coverage from NBC10/Telemundo62 and public service announcements from The Philadelphia Inquirer
• Volunteer support from Citizens
• Public relations and promotional support highlighting the organization in Citizens branches;

For more information about the Champions in Action program, visit www.citizensbank.com/community/champions-in-action.aspx.