A Long-Term Investment in Canada's Young People

Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada celebrates 15 years of partnership with Fidelity Investments Canada

TORONTO, Oct. 31, 2017 /CNW/ - 2017 marks a milestone anniversary for Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada—15 years of partnership with Fidelity Investments Canada (Fidelity). Since 2002, Fidelity has worked closely with Boys and Girls Clubs across Canada to change the lives of children and youth, donating over $2,000,000 to programs and scholarships that help young people develop a lifelong passion for learning, both in and out of the classroom.

The partnership began with funding for Power Up!, a national academic support program for children ages 6 – 12 that provides a supportive environment for academic achievement. Running after school, the program combines learning tools and resources with caring adult mentors to help young people develop self-directed study habits and achieve learning goals. Since 2003, nearly every single Boys and Girls Club in Canada has received funding to run the program, positively impacting over 16,000 children.

Most recently, Fidelity has funded the development and launch of STEAM Ahead, a cutting-edge national program that mixes visual, auditory, and hands-on activities with a focus on engineering principles and coding. Geared towards 7 – 13-year-olds, STEAM Ahead encourages children to explore STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) fundamentals and includes an artistic (A) component to encourage creativity and innovation. To date, 26 Clubs across Canada have received grants to run the STEAM Ahead program.

Since 2010, Fidelity Investments has also donated postsecondary scholarships to Boys and Girls Club members, recognizing the value of investing in the academic futures of our young people. And the company has made significant in-kind donations, purchasing tickets so Club members from across Ontario can attend Toronto Blue Jays and Toronto Raptors games, or enjoy a day at Canada's Wonderland.

"We are proud to celebrate 15 years with a company whose core values so closely align with our own," said Owen Charters, President & CEO, Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada. "For a decade and a half, Fidelity Investments has demonstrated unwavering commitment to our Clubs and to helping young people realize academic success. We look forward to the next 15 years!"

"At Fidelity, we value giving back and investing in tomorrow today," said Rob Strickland, President, Fidelity Investments Canada. "Through our enduring partnership with Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada, we are proud to have invested in the future of so many children and youth across Canada. We look forward to continuing our partnership and playing a small role in helping young Canadians reach their hopes and dreams."

Supporting Boys and Girls Clubs is a company-wide passion. From volunteering at local Clubs to chairing Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada's Board of Directors, Fidelity's employees and executives have gone above and beyond to make a difference for our young people.  

About Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada
As Canada's largest child- and youth-serving organization, Boys and Girls Clubs provide vital programs and services to over 200,000 young people in nearly 700 communities across Canada. During critical out-of-school hours, our Clubs offer safe spaces where young people can explore their interests, develop their strengths, and realize positive outcomes in self-expression, academics, healthy living, physical activity, mental health, and more. Our trained staff and volunteers help young people build the confidence and sense of belonging they need to overcome barriers, form positive relationships and mature into responsible, caring adults. Visit www.bgccan.com to learn more and follow us at www.facebook.com/bgccan and www.twitter.com/bgccan.

About Fidelity Investments Canada
Fidelity Investments Canada ULC manages a total of $132 billion in mutual fund and institutional assets. This includes $22billion in assets for institutional clients including public and corporate defined benefit pension plans, endowments, foundations and other corporate assets on behalf of clients across Canada as at August 31, 2017.

Fidelity Investments Canada ULC provides Canadian investors a full range of domestic, international and income oriented mutual funds, as well as asset allocation and managed solutions and the high net worth program, the Fidelity Private Investment Program. Fidelity Funds are available through a number of advice-based distribution channels including financial planners, investment dealers, banks, and insurance companies.

SOURCE Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada

For further information: Media contacts: Jared Morrow, Media Relations Manager, Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada, 905.477.7272 x202, [e-mail]; Chris Pepper, Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Fidelity Investments Canada, 416.795.7762, [e-mail]

Related Links

http://www.bgccan.com