CIBC Celebrates 15 Years of CIBC Youthvision Scholarships and Over 450 Lives Changed

33 new Grade 10 students receive 2013 scholarships

TORONTO, June 20, 2013 /CNW/ - CIBC (TSX: CM) (NYSE: CM) announced today that 33 Grade 10 students from across Canada have been awarded CIBC Youthvision Scholarships, valued at up to $38,000 each. This year marks the 15^th anniversary of the one-of-a-kind scholarship, which in partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters and the YMCA, has changed the lives of over 450 young people.

CIBC Youthvision helps high-potential young Canadians who might not otherwise have the financial ability to pursue a college or university education. This unique program provides scholarships to students in Grade 10, which is when many at-risk youth lose focus at school due to peer pressure, lack of role models and financial pressures. The scholarships provide tuition support, six years of paid summer internships and dedicated mentoring through the YMCA or Big Brothers Big Sisters.

In celebration of the program's 15^th anniversary, the new CIBC Youthvision scholarship recipients will attend CIBC's first-ever Youth Forum on Academic Success in Toronto on June 20. The Forum will bring together past recipients, their mentors and families with a panel of experts to examine the issues youth face while pursuing their academic goals.

The 2013 recipients are:

"My CIBC Youthvision Scholarship provided an end goal to high school, a reason to study extra hard and made me an attractive candidate for post-secondary education," says Gillianne Beaulieu, a recipient from 2003 who holds a Masters in Political Science and currently works for the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in Ottawa. "Most importantly, being awarded the scholarship at such an early age allowed me to sleep better and focus on my studies, instead of spending many-a-sleepless night worrying about how I was going to make ends meet on my own."

"CIBC Youthvision is, and has always been, about investing in Canada's young people so they can build a better future. There is no question that CIBC Youthvision is changing lives, not only for the students, but for the families as well," says Sharon Mathers, Senior Vice-President of Communications and Public Affairs, CIBC . "I am proud of our 15-year partnership with the YMCA and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada and our mutual commitment to ensuring each young person's success. On behalf of CIBC, and our partners, I extend my congratulations to this year's scholarship recipients as they join the many exemplary alumni since the program's inception."

Over the past 15 years, CIBC has invested more than $170 million in programs to support children and youth-in-need.

** Full names withheld by request

About CIBC
CIBC is committed to supporting causes that matter to our clients, employees and our communities. We aim to make a difference in communities through corporate donations, sponsorships and the volunteer spirit of employees. With a strategic focus on Kids, Cures and Community, and employee commitment to causes including the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure, the CIBC Children's Foundation and United Way, we are investing in the social and economic development of communities across the country. In 2012, CIBC group of companies contributed more than $38 million to charitable and non-profit initiatives in Canada to support national, regional and local organizations. To learn more, visit www.cibc.com.
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The CIBC Youth Forum on Academic Success is by invitation only. Media are invited to listen-in via webcast and must pre-register at [email protected] 

PDF available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/media/2013/06/20/20130620_C9900_DOC_EN_28303.pdf

SOURCE: CIBC