October 8, 2014
Governor Dannel P. Malloy has joined First Niagara Bank in announcing a commitment of $75,000 from the First Niagara Foundation, the non-profit entity of First Niagara Bank, to support the Governor’s Prevention Partnership (GPP), a statewide public-private alliance working to build a strong future workforce through leadership in youth mentoring. Governor Malloy serves as Co-Chair of the GPP Board of Directors.
“Through continued support from businesses like First Niagara, the Governor’s Prevention Partnership is able to provide valuable mentoring programs to tens of thousands of young people across Connecticut,” said Governor Malloy. “I applaud First Niagara for its leadership in helping to fund mentoring programs, and look forward to another successful year of inspiring young people in our state through mentoring.”
First Niagara’s $75,000 contribution will be used to strengthen GPP’s efforts throughout Connecticut by assisting local organizations in the design and implementation of youth mentoring programs. This year, First Niagara will be inducted into the 25th Anniversary Governor’s Cabinet, a distinction reserved for businesses that have contributed more than $250,000 to support the mission of GPP. This is the third year that the First Niagara Foundation has supported GPP for a total commitment of $357,500.
“Since 2011, First Niagara’s continued support of mentoring through the Governor’s Prevention Partnership has helped to support quality programs and to increase awareness about the important influence mentors can have on young children,” said Jill Spineti, President and CEO of The Governor’s Prevention Partnership. “We are honored to induct First Niagara into the 25th Anniversary Governor’s Cabinet, and look forward to working together to create even more life-changing opportunities for young people in our state.”
“Providing children the chance to interact with positive role models through mentoring programs is a crucial step in helping to shape a generation of young people who are ready to contribute to a productive workforce,” said Marlene Piche, First Niagara’s Regional Banking Director. “First Niagara is proud to support the mission of GPP, and to help create a brighter future for the children of Connecticut.”
In addition to the First Niagara Foundation’s contribution to GPP, it was announced that 39 non-profit organizations across the bank’s footprint in New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Connecticut will also be receiving grants totaling $1 million through First Niagara’s Mentoring Matters℠ program. Mentoring Matters was launched in 2007 with the goal of supporting organizations that help children improve their grades and school attendance, build self-esteem, and avoid the dangers of substance abuse. First Niagara has provided more than $6.25 million to nonprofits and mentoring programs over the past six years.
To learn more about First Niagara’s Mentoring Matters program, please visit: https://www.firstniagara.com/About_Us/Community_Commitment/Mentoring_Matters/Mentoring_Matters.aspx.