UPI’s Summer Program Will Benefit Phoenix Students

The African American Forum, Employee Resource Group at State Farm Supports 2017 UPI STEAM Program

PHOENIX, ARIZONA, JANUARY 7, 2017 - On Friday, January 7, the African American Forum, Employee Resource Group at State Farm issued a grant for the UPI’s Summer Camp, which will enhance the skills of students in underserved areas of Phoenix, Arizona, in June of 2017. The donation will benefit UPI Education, Linking Sports and Communities (LSC), Huntington University, KomputerED, and Technical Assistance Partnership of Arizona (TAP).

The eight-week program has three goals: 1) to increase the students’ knowledge and skills in science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM); 2) to expose children in grades K though 12 to career opportunities in these fields; and 3) to provide life skills training.

Frank Crump, Director of UPI, a non-profit, which provides life skills to students and their families, spoke at the January 7 grant presentation held at the TAP office on Central Avenue. “It is an honor and my pleasure to accept this donation from the African American Forum, Employee Resource Group at State Farm for the UPI Summer Camp. State Farm has established a fine reputation for helping communities around the country. We look forward to having State Farm employee participation with the Camp and to future partnership opportunities with State Farm.”

LSC will add a new dimension to the program by inviting professional athletes to talk to and interact with the students and their families. “Children in poor neighborhoods regard athletes as role models, and often think sports is their only route to success. The professional athletes that work with LSC inspire and encourage students to stay in school and pursue a Plan B, e.g. a STEAM career,” says Denise Meridith, Founder of LSC.

State Farm has been very active in Phoenix communities. “At State Farm, we take seriously our responsibility to be a good community partner in all the places where we live and work,” says Charlene Marbs, Information Systems Project Manager and the African American Forum Phoenix Area Lead. “Throughout our history, we have helped communities and people every day, as they recovered from the worst, and planned for the better days ahead. The African American Forum, Employee Resource Group at State Farm is excited to take this first step in creating a partnership with UPI Education in 2017.”

Students and families can get Information about eligibility and how to register for the program beginning April 24, 2017. For more information about UPI, other programs it is offering, and how to assist, contact fcrump@upieducation.org or visit www.upieducation.org.

Photo: Donation Presentation at TAP office in Phoenix. Pictured (l to r):
Jocselyn Hadson, Rod Ambrose, Al Vaden, Karen Crawford, Charlene Marbs, Richard Rollins, Betty Ambrose, Jeffrey Berggren, George Redheffer, Denise Meridith, Frank Crump.

About UPI & State Farm
As an IRS approved 501(c)3 non-profit organization, UPI Education is uniting school administrators, youth agencies and organizations, faith-based groups, and businesses to prepare students for the rigors of life equipping the students with an understanding of the realities, obligations, and expectations of society.

The mission of State Farm is to help people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected, and realize their dreams. State Farm and its affiliates are the largest providers of auto, home and individual life insurance in the United States. Its 18,000 agents and more than 65,000 employees serve more than 83 million policies and accounts – nearly 81 million auto, home, life, health and commercial policies, and nearly 2 million bank accounts. Commercial auto insurance, along with coverage for renters, business owners, boats and motorcycles, is available. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 35 on the 2016 Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit http://www.statefarm.com.

Media Contacts:

Name: Denise Meridith
Title: Founder, Linking Sports & Communities
Phone: 602-763-9900
Email address: info@linkingsports.org
Address: 1201 E Palo Verde Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85014

Name: Naomi Johnson
Title: Public Affairs Specialist, State Farm
Phone: 480-293-6090
Email address: naomi.johnson.jjee@statefarm.com

This release was published on openPR.