BOSTON–September 21, 2016–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Positive Tracks announced today that John Hancock has joined its partnership alliance with support that will enable the organization’s programs to reach thousands more Boston-based youth and dozens of local nonprofits.
With office hubs in Hanover, NH and Boston, MA, Positive Tracks is a national sports-based youth development organization that combines philanthropy and athletics to enroll youth as change-makers and civic leaders in their own communities. Youth use Positive Tracks programs to raise funds and awareness for causes that shape their communities and world. Positive Tracks provides free mentorship, tools, web-based fundraising pages, and matching dollar incentives to help youth get active and give back.
“Support from John Hancock is a real game-changer and will enable us to move forward with a very ambitious multi-year strategy to extend our program model to more Boston-based youth and organizations,” said Ray Shedd, Director of Partnerships & Marketing, Positive Tracks.
“We are proud to partner with Positive Tracks and support its unique model that motivates kids to get active and give back,” says Tom Crohan, AVP & Counsel, Corporate Responsibility and Government Relations at John Hancock. “By promoting physical activity, nurturing empathy, and incentivizing community engagement, Positive Tracks is building healthier communities through innovation, collaboration and a forward thinking approach.”
As Boston is Manulife’s U.S. headquarters and has been John Hancock’s home for over 150 years, John Hancock is committed to supporting local communities by creating innovative programs to support those most in need. Signature programs like the MLK Summer Scholars support Boston’s future decision makers, community organizers, and civic leaders. No strangers to the “Sweat For Good” mantra, John Hancock’s Marathon Non-Profit Program guaranteed entries (“bibs”) that enable runners to fundraise for organizations. In 2016, John Hancock’s Marathon Non-Profit Program raised $11.26 million.
“Boston is a remarkable sports city, and its people, companies, and nonprofit organizations understand the power that athletics and active lifestyles can have on engendering a strong sense of community. Boston is also a renowned hub for entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and incredible youth service organizations. Since 2010, it has been our great privilege to support Boston-based organizations and youth,” said Shedd. With charity partners that include Playworks Massachusetts, Soccer Without Borders, Travis Roy Foundation, and a growing number of Boys & Girls Clubs, Positive Tracks has had a major presence in Boston since 2010. Boston youth are using Positive Tracks U23 Challenges Program to host youth-powered charitable athletic efforts for organizations of youth’s own choosing, including the Pan Mass Challenge and Community Rowing. The Positive Tracks’ Annual Sweatys Awards & Celebration welcomes youth leaders, organizations and partners from across the country to connect, share, and celebrate youth “civic active-ism”.
With the support of all of its partners, over the next three years Positive Tracks plans to activate, support, and incentivize more than 25,000 Boston youth to get active and give back. By 2018, Positive Tracks projects that youth will use Positive Tracks signature programs to generate more than $10,000,000 for dozens of Boston-based causes while driving youth engagement in civic leadership, and active, healthy lifestyles.
About Positive Tracks
Positive Tracks (positivetracks.org) is a national sports-based youth development organization that helps young people get active and give back. Positive Tracks combines philanthropy and athletics to enroll youth – as partners, participants and leaders – in creating stronger communities and a healthier world. Programs, curricula, and hands on mentorship from staff and volunteer peer coaches activate, support and incentivize youth ages 23 and under (U23) to sweat for good while helping benefiting organizations with capacity building, sustainability, and youth engagement.
About John Hancock Financial and Manulife
John Hancock Financial is a division of Manulife, a leading Canada-based financial services group with principal operations in Asia, Canada and the United States. Operating as Manulife in Canada and Asia, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States, our group of companies offers clients a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services through its extensive network of employees, agents and distribution partners. Assets under management and administration by Manulife and its subsidiaries were $934 billion (US $718 billion) as at June 30, 2016. Manulife Financial Corporation trades as ‘MFC’ on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under ‘945’ on the SEHK. Manulife can be found on the Internet at manulife.com.
The John Hancock unit, through its insurance companies, comprises one of the largest life insurers in the United States. John Hancock offers and administers a broad range of financial products, including life insurance, annuities, investments, 401(k) plans, long-term care insurance, college savings, and other forms of business insurance. Additional information about John Hancock may be found at johnhancock.com