BALTIMORE, March 3, 2008 – The International Youth Foundation is pleased to announce a new youth empowerment initiative funded through a $2.5 million grant from the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company Foundation. 

 

“We are thrilled to welcome Wrigley to the IYF family”, says Bill Reese, IYF CEO.  “Wrigley has a longstanding history of philanthropy and community involvement and this special grant will help nurture a resource that is crucial to the world’s future – today’s youth.”

 

The new program, Youth. Empowerment. Success (Y.E.S.), will prepare disadvantaged youth for success in school and at work by cultivating critical thinking, creativity, organization, social communication, adaptability, and problem-solving skills.  By developing such competencies, Y.E.S. will empower young people to lead productive, independent lives and contribute positively to society.

 

"We are pleased to be supporting IYF and their important efforts to make a positive and sustainable impact with youth in our communities around the world," said Bill Wrigley, Jr., Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board for the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company.  "The signature program we’ve created with IYF not only reinforces Wrigley's longstanding commitment to social responsibility, but also thanks Wrigley's consumers and communities for their support of the Company and our brands."

 

See the Wrigley’s press release.

 

Read more about the International Youth Foundation.