On July 21st, Citizens Bank and NECN named Community Boating Center of New Bedford, Massachusetts a Champion in Action® under the category of youth programming. The award-winning nonprofit organization provides summer, after-school and school-based sailing programs for at-risk youth in greater New Bedford. As part of the award, Community Boating Center will receive a $25,000 unrestricted grant from the Citizens Bank Foundation and promotional support from NECN.

"CBC provides the youth of southeastern Massachusetts the opportunity to experience marine life while learning how to sail," said Robert E. Smyth, president, Citizens Bank, Massachusetts. "We applaud the organization for providing mentorship to the children, while creating a positive and safe environment where they learn the importance of responsibility and team work.”

Since 1998, CBC has been enriching the lives of young people by exposing them to a new and challenging environment built on trust and respect. Built on the rich waterfront heritage of New Bedford, CBC offers summer sailing courses to youth from 7 to 18, as well as after-school programs for local high school students. CBC partners with the city and local advocacy organizations, including Child & Family Services, DSS, Boys & Girls Club, PACE and New Bedford Prevention Partnership to identify youth in need of guidance.

With an enrollment that has doubled in the past two years, and with the anticipation of additional offerings to better serve the community, CBC is poised to be one of the area's greatest contributors to the betterment of local youth. CBC's summer mentorship and outreach sailing program began with 95 children and now serves more than 500 throughout the summer and more than 1,000 children and adults annually. The program consists of six progression-based levels designed to continually challenge the students. CBC also partners with the New Bedford Global Learning Charter School and Nativity Prep School to offer interactive lessons during school hours.

"The work that CBC does connecting children to the ocean and teaching them the joys of sailing while at the same time imparting important life skills, is truly remarkable," said NECN President and General Manager Charles J. Kravetz. "We're proud to partner with Citizens Bank in honoring everyone who works so hard to make this program a success, and to support and encourage the children and their families who benefit from that success."

CBC is being recognized for:

* Exposing many children to the marine environment for the first time. * Ensuring that all children have access to its programs regardless of their financial situation. * Assembling a committed and caring staff who mentor the children. * Providing a safe place for kids to go where they learn valuable life lessons in addition to learning how to sail. * Offering an adult sailing program where they explore the waters of Southeastern Massachusetts.

As a Champion in Action, CBC receives:

* A $25,000 contribution in unrestricted funds from the Citizens Bank Foundation. * Media coverage from NECN, including public service announcements, news stories and segments on other NECN programs such as NewsNight and New England Business Day. * Volunteer support from Citizens and NECN employees. * Extensive public relations support. * Promotional support highlighting the Champion in Action in all Citizens Bank branches and on its ATMs. * Exposure on both Citizens Bank and NECN Web sites.

"We are one of the area's greatest contributors to the betterment of local youth, teaching important life lessons such as compassion, self-esteem, teamwork and environmental stewardship and we are flattered that our dedication to the community has been recognized in this way," said CBC Executive Director Peter Durant. "We are honored to be named a Champion in Action by Citizens Bank and NECN and are confident that with the help of these organizations, we will continue to expand our reach in Southeastern Massachusetts." Since introducing the program in 2002, Citizens has awarded 24 Massachusetts organizations $600,000.

To learn more about Community Boating Center, please visit communityboating.org