Tangerine brings #BrightWayForward to Vancouver

Community Gym celebrates commitment to empowering local community alongside Steve Nash Youth Basketball and other program partners

VANCOUVER, March 29, 2015 /CNW/ - Today Tangerine brought its new #BrightWayForward program to the west coast by hosting its very first Community Gym event in Vancouver. This Community Gym celebrated Tangerine's new program and investment in the Vancouver area through great partnerships with the Steve Nash Youth Basketball program, Canada Basketball, as well as a number of other charitable organizations that empower the local community through their incredible work and programs.

The Community Gym event, which took place at the Robert Lee YMCA of Greater Vancouver, engaged 150 youth in the local area through empowerment and basketball skills training run by Canada Basketball. Attended by these program participants and Tangerine partners, the day also featured an inspiring performance by UNITY Charity, a group dedicated to empowering youth through positive expression.

Last month, Tangerine partnered with Canada Basketball and B.C.'s own Steve Nash to launch #BrightWayForward. Together, the recently retired 8-time NBA All-Star and Tangerine have pledged their commitment to building up confident, optimistic individuals to become the backbones of strong communities across the country.

"We're excited to be here in Vancouver at our very first Community Gym celebrating our commitment to the Vancouver area and all the great things to come as part of our new #BrightWayForward program," says Peter Aceto, President and CEO of Tangerine. "We're proud to be working with our partners here in Vancouver on meaningful programs that inspire self-esteem, teamwork and leadership while fostering a sense of belonging and acceptance."

Tangerine's #BrightWayForward program will support the following charitable organizations in Vancouver:

• Basketball BC – committed to growing the sport of basketball through inclusive programming and partnerships in support of the game.
• Vancouver Writers Fest – a festival that brings readers and writers together to inspire us and fuel our imagination through story and vibrant dialogue.
• Mount Pleasant Neighborhood House – makes the local community a better place to live through community development, programs and services.
• YMCA of Greater Vancouver – is focused on building a community in which a generation of children and families reach their full potential.
• Young Women in Business – provides support, skills, and networking opportunities to allow women to achieve success on their own terms.
• United Way Lower Mainland – works with partners to help move families from poverty to possibility, help kids be all they can be, and build stronger communities for all.

To commemorate this occasion, Tangerine will be making a $15,000 investment in support of 60 at-risk youth through the YMCA of Greater Vancouver's Youth Leadership Institute. It will also provide 25 scholarships to local at-risk youth through the YMCA to join the Steve Nash Youth Basketball Program in the Vancouver area in addition to opening a Tangerine bank account with funds in their name.

Following today's event in Vancouver, Tangerine will also be hosting Community Gyms in both Toronto and Montreal, bringing together Tangerine partners, local youth and the community. To learn more about Tangerine's sponsorship and community investment activities, please visit brightwayforward.ca.

About Tangerine

Tangerine is a direct bank that delivers simplified everyday banking to Canadians. With more than 1.9 million clients and close to $38 billion in total assets, we are Canada's leading direct bank. Tangerine offers banking that is flexible and accessible, products and services that are innovative, fair fees, and award-winning client service. From no-fee daily chequing and high-interest savings accounts, GICs, RSPs, TFSAs, mortgages and mutual funds, Tangerine has the everyday banking products Canadians need. With over 1,000 employees in Canada, our presence extends beyond our website and Mobile Banking app to our 24/7 Contact Centres and our Café locations. Tangerine was launched as ING DIRECT Canada in 1997. In 2012 it was acquired by Scotiabank, and operates independently as a wholly-owned subsidiary. For more information, visit tangerine.ca

The 'Tangerine' trademarks are owned by The Bank of Nova Scotia and used under licence.

SOURCE Tangerine

Image with caption: "Tangerine brought its new #BrightWayForward program to Vancouver with a Community Gym event attended by 150 youth who took part in empowerment and basketball skills training. (CNW Group/Tangerine)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150329_C3038_PHOTO_EN_13680.jpg

Image with caption: "Tangerine brought its new #BrightWayForward program to Vancouver with a Community Gym event attended by 150 youth who took part in empowerment and basketball skills training. (CNW Group/Tangerine)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150329_C3038_PHOTO_EN_13681.jpg

Cayley Kochel, Tangerine, [email protected], 647-462-3421