10/18/2011

Interfaith Hospitality Network of the Main Line named Champion in Action for providing hope and help to homeless families

Organization receives $25,000 grant from Citizens Bank and other benefits

PHILADELPHIA - Citizens Bank, NBC 10, Philadelphia Media Network, Inc. and Greater Philadelphia Cares announced today that the Interfaith Hospitality Network of the Main Line (IHN) is the latest nonprofit to be named a Champion in Action®.

The Interfaith Hospitality Network received the Champion in Action award for meeting temporary housing needs of homeless families with children through its Network Self Sufficiency Program, which provides shelter and support services to three homeless families at one time. As a Champion in Action, Interfaith Hospitality Network will receive a $25,000 grant from the Citizens Bank Foundation, 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, 31 Champions have been selected, including today's announced recipient in the homelessness category.

"Over the past 20 years, IHN has helped more than 400 families by providing temporary shelter and support services," said Daniel K. Fitzpatrick, Citizens Bank president and CEO for Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. "Citizens Bank is happy to recognize an organization literally working on the ground floor - shelter is a basic and important need."

"NBC 10 is pleased to recognize the vital role an agency such as IHN plays in our community. Breaking the cycle of homelessness is of utmost importance," said NBC 10 President and General Manager Dennis Bianchi. "The Interfaith Hospitality Network also demonstrates the importance of community by working with 28 Main Line interdenominational faith congregations in performing its vital mission."

"Philadelphia Media Network recognizes the difficult mission of IHN and applauds its goal of working with families on life skills, job readiness, parenting skills and financial literacy," said Greg Osberg, CEO and publisher, Philadelphia Media Network, Inc., the owner and publisher of The Philadelphia Inquirer, Daily News and Philly.com. "As a testament to its success, more than 70 percent of IHN clients move into permanent or transitional housing and experience an increase in income."

"The Interfaith Hospitality Network also deserves kudos for its use of volunteers, who provide day care during job-coaching classes and help provide meals," said Martin Molloy, CEO of Greater Philadelphia Cares. "The use of volunteers is a perfect example of an organization tapping the skills of the community at large for the greater good of society."

IHN Executive Director Sue White-Herchek and IHN volunteers were surprised today during a taping of the 10! Show on NBC 10. As a Champion in Action, the organization will receive:

  • Coverage from NBC 10, including public service announcements and TV profiles
  • Advertising space in The Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Daily News, and on Philly.com to promote both the program and the organization
  • Volunteer support from Citizens Bank colleagues, NBC 10 and Greater Philadelphia Cares
  • Public relations support
  • Exposure on the websites of Citizens Bank, NBC 10 and Philly.com
  • Consulting and implementation services provided by Greater Philadelphia Cares to leverage volunteer support that enhances impact

 

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

About Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania
Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania is a state-chartered bank with dual headquarters in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. It has 385 branches and 988 ATMs throughout Pennsylvania. It also operates 13 retail branches and 107 ATMs in southern New Jersey, and a commercial loan office and 20 ATMs in Virginia. It is a subsidiary of Citizens Financial Group, Inc., a $132 billion commercial bank holding company headquartered in Providence, R.I.

Citizens Financial Group, through its subsidiaries, has more than 1,500 branches and approximately 3,900 ATMs, and more than 20,900 colleagues. 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). CFG's website is citizensbank.com.

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 turn to NBC 10 every day 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 Network
Philadelphia Media Network, Inc. (PMN) is the owner of Philadelphia Media Network (Newspapers) LLC, the publisher of The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News and Philadelphia Media Network (Digital) LLC, the owner of Philly.com. With its multiple brand platforms and integrated print and digital products, PMN is the region's largest media network and the industry's technological leader and innovator. The Philadelphia Media Network reaches an average weekly audience of 2.2 million adults - more than the combination of the three evening television news shows or the combination of those radio stations ranked in the top ten during drive-time programming.

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.