Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada and Fidelity Investments Canada celebrate Ten Outstanding Years of Partnership

~ More than 10,000 young people have benefitted from Power Up! Academic Enhancement Program ~

TORONTO, July 3, 2012 /CNW/ - This year, Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada and Fidelity Investments Canada ULC are celebrating 10 years of partnership supporting the importance of education and encouraging an enduring enthusiasm for learning amongst young people across Canada.

The Power Up! Academic Enhancement Program, launched in 2003 and supported by Fidelity Investments, is a national academic program designed to assist children in realizing their academic potential and encouraging a life-long passion for learning. Power Up! supports children in their development of academic skills and positive attitudes towards learning and school.  The program provides them with the tools and supports they need to set and achieve their academic goals. On average, over the past 10 years, 90% of participating children achieved their Power Up! learning goals and were rewarded with certificates of achievement¹.

"At Fidelity, we understand the importance of long-term investing— and there is no greater long-term investment than the children and youth of this country.  Fidelity is proud to have initiated the Power Up! program, and we look forward to continuing our relationship with Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada to engage and assist young Canadians in realizing their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens," said Phil McDowell, Chief Financial Officer, Fidelity Investments, and Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada Board Member.

Since the program's inception in 2003, Fidelity's contribution has enabled more than 10,000 children to improve their academic performance at school. "Our friends at Fidelity Investments understand the enormous impact that this program has on the educational aspirations of so many young Canadians," said Pam Jolliffe, President and CEO, Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada.  "Just this past year, Fidelity provided Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada with additional funding to develop fresh resources for the program.  Clubs now have access to a Power Up! Leaders Guide and Activity Guide, helping make their after-school programming even more effective."

This relationship isn't just about the Power Up! Program—it's about creating opportunities and experiences. Every year Fidelity hosts approximately 500 Boys and Girls Clubs members from the Greater Toronto Area clubs to attend events such as Toronto Blue Jays games, Toronto Raptors games, and Canada's Wonderland.  These experiences have provided a wonderful opportunity for children and youth to step away from the issues they face and to get out with their friends and family.

"Fidelity Investments has been a valued partner consistently going above and beyond in their support of Boys and Girls Clubs," said Jolliffe. "We are all so very grateful for Fidelity's continued support and commitment in helping to foster successful and active members in society."

"Our relationship with Boys and Girls Clubs has meant a lot to Fidelity Canada and our employees. It's relationships like this—bringing businesses and the community together—which strengthens the possibilities for the youth of Canada and the internal culture within our company," concluded McDowell.

¹ Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada

About Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada

Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada is a leading non-profit organization providing programs that support the healthy physical, educational and social development of more than 200,000 children, youth and their families each year. In 650 locations across Canada, Boys and Girls Clubs offer opportunities, after school and at other critical times when children are not in school, to develop healthy behaviours, academic success, positive relationships and life and leadership skills. Boys and Girls Clubs have been helping young Canadians to discover, develop and achieve their potential for over 110 years.

About Fidelity Investments

Fidelity Investments Canada ULC is part of the Fidelity Investments organization of Boston, one of the world's largest providers of financial services. 2012 marks 25 years of success in the Canadian marketplace, where Fidelity manages a total of $67 billion in mutual fund and institutional assets. This includes $13 billion 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.

Fidelity Canada 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. Fidelity is a proud supporter of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada and we are dedicated to helping young Canadians realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens.

Travis Parnaby 
Manager., National Communications
Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada 
Office: 905-477-7272 
[email protected].

Chris Pepper
Vice President, Corporate Affairs
Office: 416-307-5388
Mobile: [phone]
Email: [email protected]