City of Asylum Named Champion in Action

PITTSBURGH, PA – City of Asylum, a nonprofit providing a thriving community for writers, readers and neighbors, and critical sanctuary to endangered literary writers, has been named a 2018 Champion in Action® in the category of Social Entrepreneurship & Enterprises. The award, announced jointly by Citizens Bank, WPXI-TV, Trib Total Media and Pittsburgh Cares, includes $35,000 in unrestricted funding as well as promotional and volunteer support for the organization’s outstanding work.

City of Asylum is a hub for global culture in Pittsburgh, where creativity and freedom are engines for building community. City of Asylum presents 150+ free events each year at Alphabet City, including jazz performances, film screenings and author readings from around the globe, as well as provides free space to community-based art programmers and organizations.

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. In partnership with WPXI-TV, Trib Total Media and Pittsburgh Cares, the program provides support for nonprofit organizations to recognize their contributions to communities throughout the Pittsburgh region.

“City of Asylum’s social enterprise model anchors neighborhood development and enriches the community,” said Mark Latterner, Pittsburgh Market President, Citizens Bank. “They are a true Champion in Action, transforming blighted properties and vacant land into residences, cultural art centers, performance venues, bookstores and more.”

“WPXI is pleased to recognize the efforts of City of Asylum in enriching the community through the arts,” said Kevin Hayes, General Manager of WPXI-TV. “This outstanding organization encourages cross-cultural exchange and global diversity.”

“Trib Total Media recognizes the tremendous work City of Asylum is doing in the Pittsburgh region,” said Jennifer Bertetto, Trib Total Media President and CEO. “Through their sanctuary programs, literary programs and public art, they are a true Champion in Action.”

To date, the Champions in Action program has awarded 327 nonprofits across the bank’s footprint more than $9 million in contributions and promotional support. In the Pittsburgh region, 43 nonprofits have been honored as Champions in Action, receiving more than $1.2 million.

“We thank Citizens, WPXI, Trib Total Media and Pittsburgh Cares for the Champion in Action award,” said Henry Reese Co-Founder and President, City of Asylum. “Their recognition and support will help City of Asylum entrepreneur new ways to support artists and make the arts accessible to all.”

As a Champion in Action, City of Asylum will receive:

• A $35,000 contribution in unrestricted funds from Citizens Bank;
• Public relations support including media coverage from WPXI-TV, and Trib Total Media, including public service announcements and television profiles;
• Volunteer support from Citizens Bank, WPXI-TV, Trib Total Media colleagues, and from Pittsburgh Cares at the nonprofit’s events;
• Promotional support highlighting the Champion in Action in Citizens Bank branches;
• Exposure on the Citizens Bank, WPXI-TV and Trib Total Media websites.

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