$278,000 Grant from KeyBank Offers New Infusion for YouthForce Career Development Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PORTLAND, OR. (Dec. 4, 2018) – A three-year $278,000 grant from KeyBank to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Portland Metro (BGCP) will provide new funding for its YouthForce career development program, thus expanding localized opportunities for teen training and employment.

“Helping underserved youth realize their full potential is critical to their success and instrumental in building and maintaining a vibrant economy,” said Michelle Weisenbach, president of KeyBank in Oregon and Southwest Washington, in announcing the grant. “Philanthropy is part of KeyBank’s DNA. Our funding priorities at KeyBank make up four pillars: neighbors, workforce, education and service, and this program squarely addresses these issues with proven success in helping build stronger communities through improved workforce opportunities.”

“Our ongoing partnership with KeyBank has been vital in expanding opportunities for local youth to learn as they grow their employment skills,” says Erin Hubert, CEO of BGCP. “KeyBank has long been a stalwart and supportive partner in helping us build and expand the YouthForce program, and this collaboration speaks volumes to the commitment KeyBank holds to creating economic advancement for all people.”

YouthForce helps thousands of underserved, low-income and first-generation college-bound youth (ages 15-19 years) build job skills and create a path toward career success while maintaining educational achievement. At its core, YouthForce PDX empowers teens to develop a vision for their future and then provides them the experiences, resources and networks to achieve it.

Participants gain increased professional skills, comfort in the business environment, identification of career options/paths, knowledge of managing personal finances, increased confidence and a positive outlook on the future.

BGCP launched YouthForce in 2015 in partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of King County and the Portland Timbers & Thorns, with a $500,000 grant from KeyBank. Since then, Portland Metro staff successfully scaled up the pilot program, YF PDX, by developing creative strategies and partnerships that uniquely meet the needs for career development for underserved youth in the Portland area.

Programs integrate adult coaching and mentoring, skill building workshops, and hands-on work experience through paid internships to empower teens to develop the competencies they need to achieve their educational and career potential.

This grant will help fund three distinct programs including:

• YouthForce University (YFU), which offers workshops and trainings; individual mentoring and advocacy; and academic and career planning.
• TeamWork Apprenticeship Program, a unique internship experience with professional sports teams, such as Portland Timbers and Thorns, that offers meaningful, entry-level work experiences with the Guest Services Department during Providence Park events.
• Career Internship Program (CIP), which includes hands-on work experience with local employers, professional networking, career exploration and skill building.

About KeyCorp

KeyCorp’s roots trace back 190 years to Albany, New York. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation’s largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $138.8 billion at September 30, 2018. Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of over 1,100 branches and more than 1,500 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://https://bgcportland.orgwww.key.com/. KeyBank is Member FDIC.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of Portland Metro

Boys & Girls Clubs of Portland Metro (BGCP) empowers more than 4,000 youth each year to discover their full potential by providing safe, enriching after-school and summer programs. Learn more about how Clubs support youth in achieving academic success, becoming responsible leaders, and living healthy lives at https://bgcportland.org.