Citizens Bank, Trib Total Media and Pittsburgh Cares have named Center of Life in Pittsburgh’s Hazelwood neighborhood as a 2021 Champion in Action, an award that comes with $35,000 in funding and promotional and volunteer support.

The announcement was made Wednesday at Hazelwood’s Spartan Community Center, where Center of Life launched a community learning hub for students to have a safe place for online education.

“I cannot think of a more critical moment than this to support an organization whose mission is to provide families and youth with the life skills, education, training and resources necessary to be strong and to make their communities strong,” said Mark Rendulic, Pittsburgh Market President, Citizens.

In collaboration with other nonprofits, Center of Life has delivered almost 200,000 meals, distributed more than 1,000 masks and launched the community learning hub at Spartan Community Center. The center’s staff helps students log on to their school’s online learning platform and assists them throughout the day. Additionally, they provide the students with breakfast, lunch, snacks and a take-home dinner.

“Like most things in 2020, Center of Life’s mission to provide families and youth with life skills, education and other resources was turned upside down,” said Jennifer Bertetto, Trib Total Media president and chief executive officer. “But they pivoted, collaborated and formed valuable partnerships that enabled them to continue serving Hazelwood and surrounding communities in new and innovative ways.”

In addition to the cash donation, Trib Total Media and Pittsburgh Cares will offer media coverage, public service announcements and volunteer support to the Hazelwood nonprofit.

Tim Smith, executive director of the Center of Life, said his organization believes everything is about people.

“Using this tenet, we’re working diligently to address our community’s basic needs while advancing our high-performing after-school and community programs.”

The Champions in Action program has awarded more than $9.9 million in contributions and promotional support to 352 nonprofits, including 48 in Pittsburgh that have received more than $1.5 million combined.

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