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BOSTON (May 6, 2019) — ��ɫ��Ƶ, a national organization committed to helping students succeed in school and beyond, and the BIC Corporate Foundation, the philanthropic foundation for education of BIC Group, a world leader in stationery products, lighters and shavers, today announced a new partnership that seeks to improve learning conditions for students by supporting math and literacy services in under-resourced schools.

Through this partnership, the BIC Corporate Foundation has committed $150,000 over three years to help sponsor ��ɫ��Ƶ’s “Whole School, Whole Child” holistic services. This partnership will also help BIC to achieve its goal of improving the learning conditions of 250 million children globally by the year 2025, as part of its Sustainable Development Program “Writing the Future, Together.”

“Whole School, Whole Child” is designed to build on students’ strengths, encourage daily school attendance, bolster their sense of confidence and belonging, and help them to engage more deeply with learning–all factors that drive academic achievement and other long-term positive outcomes. This grant is the first education grant of its kind made to an American nonprofit by the BIC Corporate Foundation.

“Ensuring quality education in schools is a fundamental part of BIC’s mission. By fostering education with children, we are helping them to develop the tools that are needed to make greater contributions to society and ultimately change the world,” said Mary Fox, General Manager, BIC North America Consumer Products.  “We share ��ɫ��Ƶ’s commitment to educational equity and community service, and we know that our work with ��ɫ��Ƶ will make a difference for students and schools that need additional support.”

��ɫ��Ƶ collaborates with under-resourced public schools in 29 cities across the U.S., helping to create learning environments where students cultivate the academic and social-emotional skills necessary to graduate high school on time and succeed in college and their careers. A 2015 study conducted by Policy Study Associates (PSA) found that schools that partner with ��ɫ��Ƶ were up to two-to-three times more likely to improve on English Language Arts and mathematics than similar schools without ��ɫ��Ƶ.

“��ɫ��Ƶ, BIC and the BIC Corporate Foundation want to ensure that all students in the communities we serve have the opportunity to learn, achieve and reach their full potential,” said ��ɫ��Ƶ President Jim Balfanz.  “With BIC’s extraordinary commitment, we are better positioned than ever to bring our evidence-based educational programs to even more students in need. As a result, more students will be able to master vital core competencies, greatly increasing the likelihood they will graduate from high school.”

This year, ��ɫ��Ƶ AmeriCorps members are serving in 349 schools full-time. Working in partnership with teachers and principals, these remarkable young adults tutor and mentor students one-on-one or in small groups, organize school-wide events designed to enhance school culture and climate, and run afterschool programs.  After making a difference in the lives of students, ��ɫ��Ƶ alumni–now 30,000 strong–go on to contribute as leaders and innovators across a wide array of professions, including education and youth development.

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About ��ɫ��Ƶ

��ɫ��Ƶ helps students and schools succeed. Fueled by national service, ��ɫ��Ƶ partners with public schools in 29 urban communities across the U.S. and through international affiliates in the U.K. and South Africa. Diverse teams of ��ɫ��Ƶ AmeriCorps members provide research-based student, classroom and school-wide supports to help students stay in school and on track to graduate from high school, ready for college and career success. A 2015 study shows that schools that partner with ��ɫ��Ƶ were up to two-to-three times more likely to improve on math and English assessments. A proud member of the AmeriCorps national service network, City Year is supported by the Corporation for National and Community Service, local school districts, and private philanthropy from corporations, foundations and individuals.

About the BIC Corporate Foundation

The BIC Corporate Foundation for education was created in March 2016 to take BIC’s commitment for education one step further. The mission of the Foundation is to support education, more specifically projects tackling the fight against school dropout, access to education for girls and women and environmental education, all while promoting social entrepreneurship.

About BIC

BIC () is a world leader in stationery, lighters, shavers and promotional products. For more than 70 years, BIC has honored the tradition of providing high-quality, affordable products to consumers everywhere. Through this unwavering dedication and thanks to everyday efforts and investments, BIC has become one of the most recognized brands and is a trademark registered worldwide for identifying BIC products which are sold in more than 160 countries around the world. For decades, BIC has supported causes to improve access to education. The latest initiatives to support education include, BIC Global Education Week, which is in its second year and will take place during the week of 11-NOV-2019, to support our commitment to improving the learning conditions of 250 million children worldwide by 2025.