Citizens announced today a $120,000 two-year contribution to support the Devils Youth Foundation’s work to champion, advance, and support equitable and inclusive access to life-changing experiences for youth in New Jersey by leveraging the power of sports, entertainment, and music. Through these efforts, Citizens will support New Jersey organizations that give local students hands-on experiences, skill-building opportunities, and insights into career paths throughout the 2024-25 season. “As the Official Bank of the New Jersey Devils and Prudential Center, we are thrilled to partner with organizations who share our commitment to empowering local youth,” says Rebecca O’Connell, NYC Metro President at Citizens. “Workforce development and financial empowerment is a key priority of the bank. We look forward to engaging students in impactful programming that will open their eyes to new opportunities and help prepare them for the best possible tomorrow.” Citizens and the Devils Youth Foundation recently kicked off programming with a Career Exploration Day with community partner, Junior Achievement of New Jersey, at Prudential Center. During the event, nearly 50 high school students from Saint Vincent Academy in Newark had the opportunity to explore career paths in the sports and entertainment fields by connecting with marketing and events professionals from the New Jersey Devils, Devils Youth Foundation and Citizens. Last week, Citizens and Junior Achievement of NJ also hosted more than 95 5th graders from Lincoln Avenue School to visit JA BizTown where they were treated to a surprise visit from the New Jersey Devils mascot. During the immersive experience, students participated in a simulated mini town of businesses for a day, gaining insights into business and personal money management, career exploration, and career readiness. “We are incredibly grateful for Citizens’ generous contribution and their shared commitment to empowering the next generation through education and hands-on experience,” said Kate Whitman Annis, Executive Director, Devils Youth Foundation. “With this support, the Devils Youth Foundation can continue to create meaningful opportunities for New Jersey’s youth, helping them discover their potential and prepare for a bright future. Together, we are leveraging the power of sports, entertainment, and community to inspire and uplift young people across the State.” This announcement comes on the heels of Citizens’ recent commitment to provide $10 million over the next two years to support workforce development programs across its footprint.  Funding will support nonprofits working to enhance and expand access to educational and career opportunities, address the rapidly changing demands of the modern economy, and support long-term economic growth. To learn more about Citizens’ workforce efforts and Sustainability & Impact strategy, visit https://www.citizensbank.com/about-us/sustainability-impact.aspx. About Devils Youth Foundation Devils Youth Foundation (DYF), a 501(c)(3) organization, enriches the lives of New Jersey’s youth by creating life-changing opportunities and inspiring youth in our communities through the power of sports and entertainment. The Foundation has donated over $4 million in funds to help nonprofit partners address issues such as food insecurity by working to provide access to nutritious meals and education; growing the game through inclusive sports and fitness programming; creating safe spaces for improved physical and mental well-being and life skills; and enhancing art education by increasing student participation and access. For more information or to donate go to DevilsYouthFoundation.org or find us on Instagram at @devilsyouthfoundation. About Citizens Financial Group, Inc. Citizens Financial Group, Inc. is one of the nation’s oldest and largest financial institutions, with $219.7 billion in assets as of September 30, 2024. Headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, Citizens offers a broad range of retail and commercial banking products and services to individuals, small businesses, middle-market companies, large corporations and institutions. Citizens helps its customers reach their potential by listening to them and by understanding their needs in order to offer tailored advice, ideas and solutions. In Consumer Banking, Citizens provides an integrated experience that includes mobile and online banking, a full-service customer contact center and the convenience of approximately 3,100 ATMs and approximately 1,000 branches in 14 states and the District of Columbia. Consumer Banking products and services include a full range of banking, lending, savings, wealth management and small business offerings. In Commercial Banking, Citizens offers a broad complement of financial products and solutions, including lending and leasing, deposit and treasury management services, foreign exchange, interest rate and commodity risk management solutions, as well as loan syndication, corporate finance, merger and acquisition, and debt and equity capital markets capabilities. More information is available at www.citizensbank.com or visit us on X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn or Facebook. About the New Jersey Devils The New Jersey Devils are part of the 32-team National Hockey League, with teams throughout the United States and Canada. Established in 1982, they recently celebrated their 40th season in the Garden State. During that time, the team has won three Stanley Cup Championships: 1995, 2000 and 2003. Follow the Devils at NewJerseyDevils.com, on Facebook, X, and Instagram. The New Jersey Devils organization is a HBSE property. Courtesy of Citizens Financial Group