04/06/2010
Philadelphia Physicians for Social Responsibility named Champion in Action® for its work teaching students about alternatives to violent behavior
Organization receives $25,000 grant and other benefits
PHILADELPHIA (April 7, 2010) - Four of the region’s foremost corporate organizations announced today that Philadelphia Physicians for Social Responsibility is the latest nonprofit to be named a Champion in Action®.
Philadelphia Physicians for Social Responsibility received the Champion in Action award for its programs that teach vital social and communication skills to children and families that are effective in identifying, addressing and mitigating interpersonal violence within our community. As a Champion in Action, Philadelphia Physicians for Social Responsibility will receive a $25,000 grant, media coverage, and extensive promotional and volunteer support over the next three months.
Champions in Action is an innovative program that provides various forms of support for small nonprofit organizations in recognition of their contributions to communities throughout the five-county Philadelphia area. Since the program’s inception in 2003, 25 Champions have been selected, including today’s announced recipient.
“Citizens Bank is pleased to recognize Philadelphia Physicians for Social Responsibility as our new Champion in Action,” said Daniel K. Fitzpatrick, Citizens Bank President and CEO for Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. “The organization’s Peaceful Posse program is a creative way to prevent violence by engaging at-risk youths in activities that offer alternative strategies for dealing with stress and conflict.”
“NBC 10 is proud to participate in the Champions in Action program, especially with such worthy organizations as Philadelphia Physicians for Social Responsibility,” said NBC 10 President and General Manager Dennis Bianchi. "Programs like this not only enable us to demonstrate our community commitment, they allow us to thank and promote local nonprofits that work under the radar screen. Philadelphia Physicians for Social Responsibility certainly fits that bill with its overriding message of nonviolence."
“Not only does Philadelphia Physicians for Social Responsibility work with at-risk youths, but its Parent Posse program helps parents build skills of their own to manage the strong emotions that can get in the way of effective parenting,” said Carol Dooling, Director of Communications and Partnerships at The Philadelphia Inquirer, Daily News and philly.com. “The Parent Posse groups also provide peer support and the chance to demonstrate new skills in a supportive environment.”
“What makes Philadelphia Physicians for Social Responsibility stand out is its desire to spread its message through as many means as possible,” said Frankie Lancos, Interim Executive Director of Greater Philadelphia Cares. “The organization not only piloted a mother/daughter group last summer, but annually hosts a 5K run/walk called Legs Against Arms and a Celebration of Youth event. Its message is certainly getting out.”
Philadelphia Physicians for Social Responsibility Executive Director Patricia Harner and her staff were surprised today during a taping of the 10! Show on NBC 10. As a Champion in Action, the organization will receive:
- A $25,000 contribution in unrestricted funds from the Citizens Bank Foundation.
- Media coverage from NBC 10, including public service announcements and profiles.
- Advertising space in The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia Daily News and on Philly.com to promote both the program and the organization.
- Volunteer support from Citizens Bank, NBC 10 and Greater Philadelphia Cares.
- Extensive public relations support.
- Promotional support, highlighting the Champion in Action in all Citizens Bank branches.
- Exposure on the Web sites of Citizens Bank, NBC 10 and Philly.com.
- Consulting and implementation services, provided by Greater Philadelphia Cares, to leverage volunteer support that enhances impact.
About Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania
Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania is a state-chartered bank with dual headquarters in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. It has 383 branches and 651 ATMs throughout Pennsylvania. It also operates 15 retail branches and 66 ATMs in southern New Jersey and a commercial loan office in Virginia. It is a subsidiary of Citizens Financial Group, Inc., a $148 billion commercial bank holding company headquartered in Providence, R.I.
Citizens Financial Group, through its subsidiaries, has more than 1,500 branches, and approximately 3,500 ATMs and approximately 22,700 employees. CFG’s two bank subsidiaries are RBS Citizens, N.A. and Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania. They operate a 12-state branch network under the Citizens Bank brand in Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont, and the Charter One brand in Illinois, Michigan and Ohio. CFG has non-branch retail and commercial offices in about 40 states. CFG is owned by RBS (The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc).
About NBC 10
NBC 10, one of 10 Owned & Operated NBC television stations, is located in Bala Cynwyd, Pa., a suburb of Philadelphia. Millions of viewers throughout Greater Philadelphia, Lehigh Valley, South Jersey and Delaware tune into NBC 10 everyday for the most up-to-date news, weather, sports, consumer, health and traffic reports. Viewers also tune in daily to watch “The 10! Show,” an upbeat, one-hour lifestyle and entertainment show featuring local, national and internationally known celebrities. The program airs Monday through Friday at 11 a.m. Recognized as the No. 1 Web site (www.nbcphiladelphia.com) in the top 50 markets, NBCphiladelphia.com received the prestigious National Edward R. Murrow Award.
About Philadelphia Media Holdings
Philadelphia Media Holdings, LLC, is the leading media company in the Philadelphia region. Privately held and locally owned, PMH is the owner of The Philadelphia Inquirer, Daily News, philly.com, related online products and several community newspapers. Philly.com is the region’ No. 1 local media Web site, with more than 4.5 million unique visitors each month. Together with The Inquirer, the region’s most-read daily newspaper, and the Daily News, the No. 1 tab newspaper in the region, Philadelphia Media Holdings, LLC, reaches almost 2.5 million unduplicated people each week.
About Greater Philadelphia Cares
An award-winning nonprofit, Greater Philadelphia Cares is committed to empowering individuals to realize their ability to contribute to the community in meaningful ways. By providing a variety of flexible, tangible volunteer opportunities, Greater Philadelphia Cares is continuously enhancing the ability for volunteers to serve the community.
About Philadelphia Physicians for Social Responsibility
The Philadelphia chapter of PSR was formed in 1979 to support the national initiative to prevent nuclear war. In the early 1990s, the membership voted to shift its primary focus from nuclear disarmament to interpersonal violence prevention, working through educational initiatives, coalition building and collaborative advocacy. Current programs focus on illuminating and addressing the root causes of interpersonal violence; healing children who have been the victims of, or have witnessed, interpersonal violence; teaching school children that there are alternatives to violent behavior; inspiring healthcare and other interested professionals to identify the causes of violence and work to promote healing and prevention; and providing a forum for clinicians and medical students to focus on the delivery of compassionate and quality care giving.
