Morgan Stanley Announces Oakland as Second Location for New Healthy Cities Program Connecting the Fundamentals Children Need for Healthy Start

NEW YORK, June 20, 2014 /3BL Media/ – Morgan Stanley today announced Oakland, Calif., as the second location for Healthy Cities, a philanthropic program designed to fuel innovation in coordinating the wellness, nutrition and play resources that can underpin a child’s healthy start in life.  Morgan Stanley’s Healthy Cities program will connect otherwise separate Oakland-based nonprofit organizations to deliver a linked package of services for children in neighborhoods in need. 

Joan Steinberg, Global Head of Philanthropy at Morgan Stanley, said, “For over 40 years, Morgan Stanley has focused its community efforts on improving children’s health, and we are thrilled to bring Oakland our innovative new program.  Morgan Stanley Healthy Oakland represents a complete rethink in how children receive services at school and in their community.  By delivering the building blocks of a healthy childhood in an integrated way, our partners can become more effective in reaching children in need.”

The Morgan Stanley Healthy Oakland network of partnering organizations this year will deliver 128,000 healthy meals; health screenings for over 300 children; health, nutrition and wellness information for over 750 students; safe play spaces for 1,000 children; and over 2,000 volunteer hours from Morgan Stanley employees.  Today’s kick-off event is a playground build at Burkhalter Park with KaBOOM!, a national nonprofit dedicated to bringing balanced and active play into the daily lives of all children.

Rep. Barbara Lee said, “Investments in parks and open spaces are critical for building safe and healthy communities.  I applaud this partnership between Morgan Stanley, KaBOOM! and the Oakland community.  This new state-of-the-art playground is an excellent example of the benefits from effective public-private partnerships.”

Alameda County Community Food Bank will be the lead Healthy Cities partner in Oakland, and additional partners include La Clínica de La Raza, Youth UpRising, Oakland Public Library and The Salvation Army of Alameda County.  The Food Bank will also be partnering with local schools – including Hoover Elementary, East Oakland Pride Elementary, Lazear Charter Academy, World and Achieve Academies, and Urban Promise Academy – as food distribution sites.  Morgan Stanley will be working nationally with KaBOOM! as well as Feeding America, the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief charity.

“Morgan Stanley created an exciting opportunity through the Healthy Cities program and their support of our Oakland network,” said Suzan Bateson, executive director, Alameda County Community Food Bank.  “Each week our food bank serves 21,000 children, and we are working to decrease that number.  Morgan Stanley’s Healthy Cities program affords us – and our partners – the ability to build innovative solutions to some of the most profound challenges facing our community.”

The Healthy Cities initiative builds on Morgan Stanley’s Global Alliance for Children’s Health, a commitment that has invested in innovations in pediatric care so that more children can get the healthy start they need for consistent and meaningful achievement in life.  The flagship of the Global Alliance efforts is the Firm’s 40-year relationship with the Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of NewYork-Presbyterian.  More recently, Morgan Stanley created partnerships with international hospitals, including the Great Ormond Street Hospital in London and Beijing Children's Hospital.  Morgan Stanley employees play a critical role, lending expertise, financial support and sweat equity to benefit children’s centers across the globe.  

For more information about Healthy Cities, please visit www.morganstanley.com/healthycities. 

Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) is a leading global financial services firm providing investment banking, securities, investment management and wealth management services.  The Firm's employees serve clients worldwide including corporations, governments, institutions and individuals from more than 1,200 offices in 43 countries.  Through its Global Alliance for Children’s Health, the Firm is dedicated to improving the lives and welfare of the world’s youngest citizens.  For more information about Morgan Stanley, please visit www.morganstanley.com. 

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