Astellas Employees Assemble to Benefit Metro Vancouver’s Native Youth in Need
Employees Also Raised $7,500 for Urban Native Youth Association
VANCOUVER, July 26, 2016 /3BL Media/ – Approximately 200 Astellas Medical Affairs, Americas employees from across the United States, Canada and Brazil recently joined forces in Vancouver, Canada, to benefit Urban Native Youth Association. Metro Vancouver's only Native youth program organization, the Urban Native Youth Association works to empower Native youth through 21 programs which include education and training, personal support, live-in programs, sports and recreation, music, and cultural programs.
The event continues Astellas’ annual day of service program, Changing Tomorrow Day, where Astellas offices around the globe participate in planned volunteer activities in local communities throughout the year.
Nearly 5,000 items donated by Astellas were assembled and packed by employees that will support local Native youth, including items for:
- Youth Home Start-Up Kits containing dishes, cutlery and non-perishable food items for Native Youth leaving foster care or home for the first time.
- Newborn Start-Up Kits including baby shampoos, lotions, baby nail clippers and wipes.
- Art and school supplies for Native families that have trouble affording such items.
“UNYA provides dynamic opportunities for Native youth to be empowered with the knowledge, skills, and tools they need to reach their personal goals and realize their fullest potential. We firmly believe that Native youth lack opportunities, not abilities,” said Dena Klashinsky, executive director of the Urban Native Youth Association. “This generous donation from Astellas will provide Native youth with much-needed support, ensuring that they have access to practical resources and opportunities for success as they transition into adulthood. Support from committed community partners like Astellas is integral to our success.”
Additionally, the employees participated in a series of teambuilding activities as part of the day’s events. Among the activities, employees created 20 art panels featuring life lessons to help guide youths. Astellas and its employees also raised a total of $7,500 for Urban Native Youth Association.
“It’s an equally rewarding experience to see our employees from across the Americas join forces and lend a hand to help change tomorrow for Vancouver’s Native youth,” said Jeff Bloss, senior vice president, Astellas Medical Affairs, Americas, Astellas Pharma Global Development, Inc. “Giving back to our communities is engrained in the Astellas culture and we are thrilled to have this opportunity to help Urban Native Youth Association make a difference in Vancouver.”
At Astellas, we envision a world where communities of all kinds have the means they need to live smart today and every day. Learn more about Astellas’ commitment to social responsibility through the Living Smart platform and how our work to provide resources to underserved communities helps them face the future with confidence.
About Astellas
Astellas is a pharmaceutical company dedicated to improving the health of people around the world through the provision of innovative and reliable pharmaceutical products. For more information on Astellas, please visit our website at www.astellas.us. You can also follow us on Twitter at @AstellasUS, Facebook at www.facebook.com/AstellasUS or LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/astellas-pharma.
