BOSTON, July 30, 2013 –- Artists For Humanity (AFH), an organization that provides under-resourced youth with the keys to self-sufficiency through paid employment in the arts, today announced a land gift from its neighbor and partner Gillette/Procter & Gamble. This generous donation will enable AFH, currently among the largest employers of teens in Boston’s creative economy, to expand its current facility in South Boston’s Innovation District and significantly increase highly-sought positions in its youth employment programs.
Patrice Louvet, Group President of Gillette at P&G, Mayor Thomas Menino, and Susan Rodgerson, Artists for Humanity (AFH) Founding Executive, pose with the signed deed for Gillette/P&G’s land gift to AFH on Tuesday, July 30, 2013 in South Boston, Mass. (all photos by Aynsley Floyd/Invision for Gillette/AP Images)
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“When Mayor Menino established the Innovation District on the South Boston waterfront, we believe the Gillette-AFH partnership was the kind of exciting project he envisioned,” said Susan Rodgerson, founding executive/artistic director of Artists For Humanity. “This land gift will allow AFH to significantly increase the number of teens we employ and engage more deeply with the community. We are very grateful to Gillette/P&G for this generous donation, which will not only provide more empowering jobs in arts and design for Boston teens, but also enable AFH to become a greater resource for Fort Point Channel residents and Innovation District businesses.” |
AFH hopes to use the land to create a “Creative Industries EpiCenter” that expands its current facility. Gillette/P&G’s land gift will be announced during a press conference at the property that will feature speeches from Boston Mayor Thomas Menino and spokespeople from AFH and Gillette/P&G. Youth apprentices will also be on hand to create live artwork.
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“Making sure young people in Boston can find great jobs has been one of my most important priorities, and we continue to lead the country in youth employment,” Mayor Menino said. “AFH gives Boston teens the opportunity to learn a craft and develop their creativity while also earning a living, reflecting the true spirit of the Innovation District.”
“Gillette is committed to South Boston and honored to be in a position where we can help Artists For Humanity with their expansion efforts,” said Patrice Louvet, group president for Gillette at Procter & Gamble. “AFH apprentices have made significant contributions to the city through their spectacular creativity. We are proud that our partnership with AFH will continue to support and encourage these remarkable young people.” |
About Artists For Humanity
Founded in 1991, Artists For Humanity’s (AFH) mission is to bridge economic, racial and social divisions by providing underserved urban youth with the keys to self-sufficiency through paid employment in art and design. AFH began with what was then an ambitious and unconventional idea – young people can provide, through their innate talent and vision, applied creative services to the business community. This concept is now a proven model for youth development. Training and employing urban teens is a solution to economic disenfranchisement and has a resounding effect on individuals, families, and communities. AFH is now one of the largest employers of youth in the City of Boston, employing 300+ teens annually in paid apprenticeship in the visual arts and creative industries. For more information, visit www.afhboston.org.
About Procter & Gamble
P&G serves approximately 4.6 billion people around the world with its brands. The Company has one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Pampers®, Tide®, Ariel®, Always®, Whisper®, Pantene®, Mach3®, Bounty®, Dawn®, Fairy®, Gain®, Charmin®, Downy®, Lenor®, Iams®, Crest®, Oral-B®, Duracell®, Olay®, Head & Shoulders®, Wella®, Gillette®, Braun®, Fusion®, Ace®, Febreze®, Ambi Pur®, SK-II®, and Vicks®. The P&G community includes operations in approximately 75 countries worldwide. Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and in-depth information about P&G and its brands.