More Than $1.6 Million Raised For Youth At RBC Race For The Kids

NEW YORK, Oct. 17, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Youth INC today announced that more than 1,900 New Yorkers and RBC employees gathered at Brookfield Place Waterfront in downtown Manhattan on Saturday, October 17, 2015, to take part in RBC Race for the Kids. Since June RBC has raised more than $1.6 million for Youth INC and other nonprofit organizations focused on helping youth and communities at the grassroots level. Co-hosted by Youth INC and RBC, RBC Race for the Kids is a family day of athletic challenge that includes a 3K race, multi-event team challenges and shorter children's races, all to benefit youth in New York City.

Notable attendees at RBC Race for the Kids today included:

• Gale A. Brewer, Manhattan Borough President
• Bill Chong, NYC Commissioner of Youth and Community Development (DYCD)
• Shari Hyman, President and Chief Operating Officer at Battery Park City Authority
• Catherine McVay Hughes, Chair, Manhattan Community Board 1
• Cecil Fielder, former NY Yankee and Three-time All-Star

The success of RBC Race for the Kids gained recognition from a number of senior government officials.

"Congratulations to Youth INC and RBC for hosting this event with the downtown community to raise funds to support our youth in New York City," said Senator Chuck Schumer. "It is crucial for the private sector to partner with not-for-profit organizations like Youth INC to help increase opportunities and provide a path to success for every young person, regardless of their circumstances."

"I am grateful for organizations like Youth INC whose determination and innovation continues to transform the lives of our children," said Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. "Please accept my best wishes for the RBC Race for Kids event that will benefit this organization and others to help continue those vital programs for our children and families."

"There are few things more wonderful than seeing a crowd of thousands out in our streets for a good cause," said Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer. "I congratulate Youth INC and Royal Bank of Canada on hosting this race in Manhattan and raising millions in funds to build a brighter future for disadvantaged youth here in our city."

"I appreciate the commitment of Youth INC and RBC to organize a great day of family fun, a day that will benefit worthy causes focused on disadvantaged youth like Brooklyn-based Gallop NYC, which brings therapeutic horsemanship to children with disabilities. Corporate citizenship helps our city raise healthy children and families, and the RBC Race for the Kids is emblematic of that community-focused approach," said Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams.

"Lower Manhattan is extremely proud to be a part of the effort to raise awareness with the Royal Bank of Canada's Race for the Kids," said Alliance for Downtown New York President Jessica Lappin.  "This is a truly important cause and we can't think of a better place than Lower Manhattan for bringing families and youth together. From Wagner Park to Battery Place to Brookfield Place – we're excited that Lower Manhattan is providing the backdrop to this great day of racing and fun."

‎"The New Yorkers participating in this family day of athletic challenges to raise funds and awareness for disadvantaged New York City youth will bring more than just ‎smiles to many youngsters – they will help bring care to kids most in need," said Catherine McVey Hughes, Chair of Manhattan Community Board 1. "Downtown is delighted to host an event for the people that make our city better, and thanks to Youth INC and the Royal Bank of Canada for making it happen."

"RBC Race for the Kids brings together dozens of advocates and organizations who are committed to providing our youth with the opportunities they need to succeed. I commend RBC and Youth INC for coming together to support our City's children. Together, we can empower our young people and lay the ground work for a strong and positive future," said Public Advocate Letitia James.

"By supporting programs that address the needs of our young people, we are investing not only in their future but the future of New York City," said Department of Youth and Community Development Commissioner Bill Chong. "DYCD is happy to join Royal Bank of Canada and Youth INC in kicking off the RBC Race for the Kids. This incredible event will help bring families together for a day of fun and healthy activities while empowering the nonprofit organizations that help positively shape the lives of countless youth across our city."

"We are thrilled that Battery Park City is the host location for this year's RBC Race for the Kids," said BPCA President Shari C. Hyman. "Youth INC and RBC's dedication to improving the lives of underprivileged young people in New York City is helping to raise awareness for a vitally important issue and having our wonderful waterfront as a backdrop to their cause is an honor."

"This event is a win-win for our children and for our city," said Chairman of the Association for a Better New York Bill Rudin. "RBC's race not only promotes physical activity, but it helps improve the lives of New York City's youth."‎

Currently one out of every three of the 1.8 million kids in New York City is living in poverty. Two out of three are below their reading grade level, and only 57 percent of these kids will receive their high school diploma.¹ Youth INC's mission is to improve the lives of youth through a unique venture philanthropy model that empowers, develops, and educates nonprofit organizations serving young people. 

Funds raised through RBC Race for the Kids will positively impact many youth-focused charities, including: Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC, The Department of Pediatrics at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), Ronald McDonald House of New York, GallopNYC, Fiver Children's Foundation, and Cornelia Connelly Center.

About Youth INC
Youth INC's venture philanthropy model uses a rigorous screening process to identify the most promising nonprofits serving kids. Youth INC helps its nonprofit partners to develop robust fundraising capabilities, build a strong board, and establish metrics to increase and better illustrate their impact. Youth INC also issues capacity building grants that accelerate growth and drive sustainable scale. Over the life of their partnership with Youth INC, participating nonprofits experience an average increase of more than 160 percent in revenue, 45 percent increase in Board size and, most importantly, 120 percent increase in the number of youth served.  Since 1995, our venture philanthropy model has helped raise over $55 million to transform over 130 nonprofits and improve the lives of more than 600,000 New York City youth. To learn more about Youth INC visit: www.youthinc-usa.org.

1. Poverty is defined as a family of four living on < $24,000.
    Source: Citizens' Committee For Children

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SOURCE Youth INC

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