ShopRite, Pepsi, YMCA Team to Help Teens, Families
PHILADELPHIA -- ShopRite operator Brown's Super Stores, Inc. here; the Pepsi Bottling Group (PBG); and the YMCA have unveiled the concept of "The Pepsi Family Room...presented by ShopRite," a dedicated space in which programs such as mentoring, after-school study, educational and professional support, community gatherings, and teen discussion sessions will be offered.
The room, which will open early next year at the West Philadelphia YMCA, is the first initiative in a new citywide program, "Strong Families; Strong Children; Strong Communities...Let's Be Safe," with the aim of supporting at-risk youth and families in communities scarred by violence.
"We continue to strive to bring joy to people's lives with a well-recognized commitment to the communities where we do business," said Paul Brauer, director of human resources and community affairs for 10-store Brown's Super Stores, in a statement.
Additionally, the Pepsi Bottling Group Foundation is donating $25,000 to support the overall program as an extension of its focus on youth and diversity programs.
"All children deserve a chance to succeed, and for many, it is just a matter of finding a safe, productive, and supportive environment that reinforces core values such as honesty, respect, responsibility and caring," noted John Flynn, c.e.o. of the YMCA of Philadelphia & Vicinity. "Our objective is simple -- to attract children and families in West Philadelphia to the YMCA and to take advantage of our broad spectrum of community activities and services."
Added Dave Fitts, v.p. and g.m. of PBG's Delaware Valley Market Unit, "By providing a safe haven for our youngsters to grow strong socially, intellectually, and recreationally, we are securing a better future for all."
Brown's Super Stores operates 10 ShopRite supermarkets in the Philadelphia area, with plans to add two additional stores next year, including an anchor Supermarket in the newly developed ParkWest Plaza in Fairmount Park.
The room, which will open early next year at the West Philadelphia YMCA, is the first initiative in a new citywide program, "Strong Families; Strong Children; Strong Communities...Let's Be Safe," with the aim of supporting at-risk youth and families in communities scarred by violence.
"We continue to strive to bring joy to people's lives with a well-recognized commitment to the communities where we do business," said Paul Brauer, director of human resources and community affairs for 10-store Brown's Super Stores, in a statement.
Additionally, the Pepsi Bottling Group Foundation is donating $25,000 to support the overall program as an extension of its focus on youth and diversity programs.
"All children deserve a chance to succeed, and for many, it is just a matter of finding a safe, productive, and supportive environment that reinforces core values such as honesty, respect, responsibility and caring," noted John Flynn, c.e.o. of the YMCA of Philadelphia & Vicinity. "Our objective is simple -- to attract children and families in West Philadelphia to the YMCA and to take advantage of our broad spectrum of community activities and services."
Added Dave Fitts, v.p. and g.m. of PBG's Delaware Valley Market Unit, "By providing a safe haven for our youngsters to grow strong socially, intellectually, and recreationally, we are securing a better future for all."
Brown's Super Stores operates 10 ShopRite supermarkets in the Philadelphia area, with plans to add two additional stores next year, including an anchor Supermarket in the newly developed ParkWest Plaza in Fairmount Park.