Esperanza Academy, School of Hope named Champion in Action in Massachusetts
Citizens Bank and NECN provide $25,000 grant, PR and volunteer support Boston (April 12, 2007) - Citizens Bank of Massachusetts and NECN today named Esperanza Academy, School of Hope in Lawrence as this quarter’s Champion in Action in Massachusetts under the category of youth programming. As part of the award, Esperanza Academy will receive a $25,000 unrestricted grant from the Citizens Bank Foundation and extensive media coverage and promotional support from NECN.
“Esperanza Academy is a true Champion in Action for creating an opportunity for low-income girls in Lawrence to receive a first-class education that will inspire them to reach their full potential,” said Robert E. Smyth, Chairman, President and CEO of Citizens Bank of Massachusetts. “By investing in their education at a young age, Esperanza is investing in their future and empowering them to become successful, strong women. We are delighted to partner with NECN in recognizing this school for making a difference in the lives of these students, their families and the community.”
Esperanza Academy is a tuition-free middle school providing quality education to economically-disadvantaged girls of diverse faiths, races and cultures. It strives to break the cycle of poverty by serving as an educational institution and safe haven. Students are supported and encouraged to excel in a rigorous and challenging curriculum that begins at 7:30 a.m. and ends at 6:30 p.m. The stimulating environment equips students with the confidence and leadership skills necessary to become future leaders.
Located in the North Common neighborhood, Esperanza uses the Nativity School model, established in New York in 1971, with the hope of achieving a similar success rate as more than 92 percent of Nativity students graduate from high school. It opened its doors in September 2006 serving 42 girls in grades five and six and will expand to serve 80 girls in grades five through eight during the next two years.
The school was chosen as Citizens and NECN’s 19th Champion in Action for encouraging students to realize their potential by developing academic competence, confidence, curiosity, integrity and hope.
“The work being done at Esperanza Academy is exceptional and inspirational and we are thrilled to partner with Citizens Bank to spotlight this remarkable institution,’’ said NECN Founder and President Philip S. Balboni. “Esperanza’s stellar educational model will help these young women make their mark on the world, giving them the springboard to a successful life that will make their families and community proud.’’
Esperanza Academy, School of Hope is being recognized for:
• Giving “at-risk” girls the opportunity to receive a high-quality, tuition-free education.
• Providing small class sizes where students get personal attention as well individual tutoring after class.
• Emphasizing the importance of community involvement, athletics and performing arts so the students are well-rounded.
• Securing committed teaching fellows through the AmeriCorps program.
• Engaging parents in supporting the school through volunteer opportunities in the classroom, office and kitchen.
As a Champion in Action, Esperanza Academy receives:
• A $25,000 contribution in unrestricted funds from the Citizens Bank Foundation.
• Media coverage from NECN, including public service announcements, news stories and segments on other NECN programs such as NewsNight and New England Business Day.
• Volunteer support from Citizens and NECN employees.
• Extensive public relations support.
• Promotional support highlighting the Champion in Action in all Citizens Bank branches and on its ATMs.
• Exposure on both Citizens Bank and NECN Web sites.
“The work we are doing at Esperanza is dependant on community support and we are very grateful for the interest and involvement of organizations like Citizens Bank and NECN,” said Laurie Bottiger, Head of School, Esperanza Academy, School of Hope. “An investment in our girls is an investment in the future of Lawrence and the future of our county. We are delighted to be named the Citizens Bank NECN Champion in Action and to receive all of the benefits that come along with that prestigious designation.”
Since introducing the program in 2002, Citizens has awarded 19 Massachusetts organizations $475,000.
To learn more about Esperanza Academy, School of Hope, please call Laurie Bottiger at 978-686-HOPE.
About Citizens Bank of Massachusetts
Citizens Bank of Massachusetts is a $35 billion bank with 264 branches and 613 ATMs stretching from greater Boston to Cape Cod and the Berkshires. It is headquartered at 28 State Street in Boston. It is a subsidiary of Citizens Financial Group, Inc., a $161 billion commercial bank holding company headquartered in Providence, R.I. Citizens has more than 1,600 branches, approximately 3,100 ATMs and more than 25,000 employees. It has a 13-state retail branch network plus non-branch retail and commercial offices in about 40 states. Citizens is the eighth-largest commercial banking company in the United States ranked by deposits and ninth in assets as of September 30, 2006. Citizens is owned by RBS (The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc).
About NECN
NECN is headquartered in Newton, Mass. and is the largest regional news network in the country. Founded in March 1992, the station is a partnership between The Hearst Corporation and Comcast, and serves more than 3.6 million cable subscribers in more than 1,000 communities throughout New England. The news network operates new-gathering bureaus in Worcester, Mass.; Hartford, Conn.; Manchester, N.H.; Burlington, Vt.; and Portland, Maine, and has editorial partnerships with many of the region’s most important newspapers including The Boston Globe.
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