07/27/2011

Citizens Bank names All Our Kin its newest Champion in Action

NEW LONDON, CONN. (July 27, 2011) Citizens Bank has announced that All Our Kin of New Haven has been recognized as a Champion in Action® for the third quarter of 2011 in the youth programming category. The award was announced by Citizens Bank, as part of an on-air segment during a newscast on News 8 WTNH today. The award includes a $25,000 grant from the Citizens Bank Foundation.

"An investment in All Our Kin is an investment in our community and in our future,” said Ned Handy, president of Citizens Bank in Connecticut and Rhode Island. "This organization trains and supports more than 250 parents and caregivers each year, who in turn serve more than 1,200 children in the region. AOK is also helping caregivers open licensed and successful childcare businesses in our communities, creating jobs and economic stability."

All Our Kin provides instruction, materials, mentorships and support to help child caregivers meet the health and safety standards needed to meet state licensing requirements. According to AOK, state licensing is transformative for caregivers: their earnings increase, they gain pride and marketable skills, and they are able to serve additional children in a more comprehensive, safer and professional environment.

"All Our Kin is committed to increasing the quality and quantity of childcare in our region," said Jessica Sager, Executive Director of AOK. "By training, supporting and sustaining childcare providers, we are ensuring that children and families have the foundation they need to succeed in school and in life."

Champions in Action is a partnership between Citizens Bank and News 8 to provide financial support and public awareness to the nonprofit organizations that work every day to champion change in our communities. It was launched in 2002.

Each quarter, a nonprofit organization among a range of social service topics in Connecticut is recognized as a Champion in Action. Each Champion in action receives the following support in addition to the $25,000 grant from the Citizens Bank Foundation:

  • Media coverage from News 8/MyTV9, including public service announcements.
  • Volunteer support from Citizens Bank and News 8 WTNH/MyTV9.
  • Public relations support and promotional support through visibility at Citizen Bank branches and citizensbank.com.

About Citizens Bank
Citizens Bank is a division of RBS Citizens, N.A., operating its seven-state branch network in Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont. It has 51 branches and 131 ATMs in Connecticut.

RBS Citizens, N.A. is a subsidiary of Citizens Financial Group, Inc., a $132 billion commercial bank holding company headquartered in Providence, R.I. 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 more than 30 states. CFG is owned by RBS (The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc).