PITTSBURGH -- Citizens Bank and WPXI-TV have named The Neighborhood Academy, Pittsburgh’s only independent, college-prep high school dedicated to serving low-income, inner-city youth, as its third quarter Champion in Action SM in the area of youth support. As part of the award, The Neighborhood Academy will receive a $25,000 grant and extensive volunteer and promotional support, including public service announcements on WPXI-TV.

"Citizens Bank is pleased to join WPXI-TV in naming The Neighborhood Academy as its newest Champion in Action,” said Ralph J. Papa, President of Citizens Bank’s Western Region. “The Neighborhood Academy is one of Pittsburgh’s most valuable resources. Through its successful efforts to help disadvantaged children acquire the intellectual and academic skills needed for success in school and life, The Neighborhood Academy cultivates, with deep seeded love and razor-sharp focus, our community’s most precious resource of all — our children.”

“WPXI-TV is proud to partner with Citizens Bank to honor such a worthy organization,” said WPXI-TVs General Manager Ray Carter. “The Neighborhood Academy is illustrative of the many wonderful grass roots community organizations in our area. We are pleased to focus our community efforts on The Neighborhood Academy and look forward to helping this organization continue its great work.”

Champions in Action SM is the new name given to the program formerly known as Community Stars. This program will continue to be a joint initiative of Citizens Bank and WPXI-TV that is designed to recognize and support nonprofit organizations for their contributions to communities in the Pittsburgh region. A new Champion in Action is selected each quarter among a range of social service areas.

Here’s what makes The Neighborhood Academy a Champion in Action:

In Pittsburgh, 66 percent of students from low-income families cannot read at grade level and 71 percent are not proficient in math.

All students who have attended The Neighborhood Academy for at least 2 years have progressed at least 2.6 grade levels in reading and nearly 4 grade levels in math.

Students are served three meals per day, plus a snack. They are provided free transportation to and from school.

The Neighborhood Academy serves low-income and at-risk young people who have the desire and motivation to go on to college but who would otherwise not have access to necessary resources to do so. In doing so, The Neighborhood Academy seeks to fulfill its mission to break the cycle of poverty by preparing children for higher education and a meaningful life.

Students participating in the program receive instruction during extended hour school days (8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.) in classes with no more than ten students in order to maximize learning. Summer sessions are mandatory for all students.

Counseling is available to all students and their families; the school maintains an extensive arts and athletic program.

100% college acceptance by the first graduating class of ’05.

Through Champions in Action, The Neighborhood Academy will receive:

A $25,000 contribution in unrestricted funds from the Citizens Bank Foundation.

Media coverage from WPXI-TV, including public service announcements and TV profile.

Volunteer support from Citizens and WPXI-TV employees.

Extensive public relations support.

Promotional support, highlighting the organization in all Citizens Bank branches.

Exposure on both Citizens Bank and WPXI-TV websites.

“We are honored to be recognized by Citizens Bank and WPXI-TV as a Champion in Action, and commend Citizens Bank and WPXI-TV for their ongoing and active support of non-profit organizations,” said Jodie Moore, president and co-founder. “The Neighborhood Academy will use the resources this award brings, particularly the publicity and the volunteer support, to raise our visibility in Pittsburgh and the surrounding region.”

A nonprofit organization supporting Homelessness will be named the fourth quarter Champion in Action in October 2005.

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SLIDESHOW: Photos From Announcement

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For more information about The Neighborhood Academy, visit www.theneighborhoodacademy.org or call (412) 362-2001.

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For more information about the Champion in Action SM program or to apply, visit www.citizensbank.com.

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About Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania:
Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania is a $30 billion state-chartered bank with dual headquarters in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. It has more than 400 branches, more than 660 ATMs. It also operates 10 retail branches and 10 ATMs in southern New Jersey. It is a subsidiary of Citizens Financial Group, Inc., a $137 billion commercial bank holding company headquartered in Providence, R.I. Citizens has more than 1,600 branches, approximately 3,100 ATMs and approximately 26,000 employees in a 13-state retail branch network and non-branch offices in more than 30 states. Citizens is the eighth largest commercial banking company in the United States ranked by deposits. Citizens is owned by RBS (The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc).

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