Press Release

September 28, 2011

Ruth Lednicer
(312) 747-4907
lednicer@chipublib.org

Ann Beach
Boeing communications
(312) 544-2997

CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY’S YOUMEDIA RECOGNIZED AS A BOEING GAME CHANGER

Chicago – Chicago Public Library Commissioner Mary Dempsey accepted the 2011 Boeing [NYSE:BA] “Game Changer” Award today for the library’s YOUmedia program in a brief ceremony at the Harold Washington Library Center. The Game Changer award recognizes creative and innovative community programs and leaders that are making a significant impact on Chicago’s diverse communities. Rick Stephens, Boeing senior vice president of Human Resources and Administration, presented the award. “The most enduring improvements come as the result of hard work and the vision of leaders like Mary Dempsey, who find new ways to help our communities even during challenging times,” Stephens said. “Creating a program like YOUmedia is one of the ways Mary has demonstrated visionary leadership that truly makes a difference and affirms how creative solutions can begin to address our communities’ needs.”

This unique learning space for high-school students connects young adults, books, media, adult mentors and institutions throughout the city. Located at the Harold Washington Library Center, in three neighborhood branch libraries and online, YOUmedia engages young adults in projects that promote and build critical thinking and creativity skills; skills that are essential for success in a global economy. The program has been so successful that its model will be replicated in up to 30 learning labs across the country over the next three years.

Established by Boeing Chicago Global Corporate Citizenship in 2007, the Boeing Game Changer Award supports community leaders and recognizes programs developed by those leaders that support diverse communities in Chicago. The award includes a $100,000 grant to fund the ongoing development of YOUmedia as well as organizational development. The “Boeing Game Changer” award is given in each of the five areas in which Boeing makes charitable grants—education, arts and culture, civic, environment, or health and human services. Since launching the award in 2007, Boeing has recognized three Chicago community leaders, each with a $100,000 grant for their respective organizations, in the areas of civic engagement, education, and arts and culture.

Since opening its offices in Chicago in 2001, Boeing and its employees have contributed $54.4 million to the Chicago area, including $3.1 million from matching employee gifts, matching board contributions and the Employees Community Fund. The ECF alone has contributed more than $1 million and Boeing employees have donated thousands of hours of volunteer service to local nonprofits and others.

For more information about Boeing’s corporate citizenship programs visit the 2010 Corporate Citizenship report.