First Niagara Mentoring Matters Award

From Mothers & Babies Perinatal Network:

Mothers & Babies Perinatal Network will utilize funding received from the First Niagara’s Mentoring Matters award to decrease risk among teens in the seven county area. Mentoring Matters is First Niagara’s charitable giving program that provides critical financial and volunteer support for mentoring efforts conducted throughout the Northeast.

M&BPN's teen pregnancy prevention/youth development program includes use of evidenced-based curriculums targeted to middle and high school students, high risk youth and pregnant and parenting teens. With an overall goal of reducing the incidence of primary and subsequent adolescent pregnancy, network staff strives to help teens understand the potential immediate and long-term consequences risk-taking behaviors (sexual activity, unprotected sexual activity, alcohol, tobacco & other drugs) have on their personal health, their future life and the health of any children they may have.

“Supporting youth and education are First Niagara’s top philanthropic priorities. We are proud to partner with Mothers and Babies Perinatal Network to help make a positive and lasting difference in the Binghamton area,” said David Kavney, Market Executive, First Niagara Bank.

This funding will allow Mothers & Babies to provide critical support to teens in the classroom and during afterschool programs to help them make better choices and support their development in a positive way.

In 2011, the teen pregnancy rate in the region was nearly 30/1,000 teens. Studies show that infants born to teens are more likely to experience poverty, health complications and low birth weight births when compared to older moms. The intent of this program is to help teens discover their goals, delay sexual activity and refrain from risk taking behaviors by offering them the life skills that they need to make healthy decisions.

M&BPN is one of 16 Perinatal Networks in the state striving to make positive change in health outcomes for women, infants and families. M&BPN serves an eight county region in South Central New York, consisting of Broome, Chemung Cortland, Delaware, Otsego, Tioga & Tompkins counties. Its main offices are located at 457 State Street in Binghamton.
Representatives from First Niagara’s corporate offices will be in Binghamton on Wednesday, March 20 @ 10:00 am to present M&BPN with the check for $25,000.