Morgan Stanley Healthy Cities Creates Linked Network of Children’s Wellness Programming in Newark

NEW YORK, June 27, 2014 /3BL Media/ – Morgan Stanley today announced Healthy Newark, an innovative philanthropic program connecting several local nonprofits, schools and hospitals to deliver a linked package of the building blocks to a healthy childhood.  Morgan Stanley will work with its local and national partners to help as many as 3,000 Newark, N.J., children and their families.

Newark becomes the third location for Healthy Cities, a Morgan Stanley program that creates a coordinated network providing the wellness, nutrition and play resources that can underpin a child’s healthy start in life.  Earlier this month, Morgan Stanley announced Chicago and Oakland, Calif., as other Healthy Cities target areas. 

Joan Steinberg, Global Head of Philanthropy at Morgan Stanley, said, “Morgan Stanley has a 40-plus-year commitment to children’s health, and we are proud to be taking another step forward with our partners in Newark.  Morgan Stanley Healthy Newark is an exciting and innovative new program that will integrate local nonprofit resources to promote wellness, good nutrition and safe play for thousands of children in need.”

In Newark, Healthy Cities and its partnering organizations will supply 97,000 meals to children and their families; weekly fitness programs for 700 children; health screenings and nutrition education for over 500 children; safe play areas for 2,000 children; and over 2,000 volunteer hours from Morgan Stanley employees. 

Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr., said, “I am thrilled to welcome Morgan Stanley’s Healthy Cities to Newark.  The program will help ensure that children have access to nutrition education, safe play and a host of other resources that are critical to well-rounded growth and future success.  By fostering the development of our youth, we invest in our communities as a whole, creating safer and more prosperous environments for families.  I commend Morgan Stanley, Feeding America and KaBOOM! for their partnership and for investing in the future of Newark.”

The Community FoodBank of New Jersey will be the lead Healthy Newark partner, collaborating with the Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, the hospital’s KidsFit Newark comprehensive children’s wellness program, and America’s Grow-a-Row, a nonprofit utilizing volunteer efforts to provide fresh, free produce to those in need.  Morgan Stanley will continue to work nationally with Feeding America, the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief charity, and KaBOOM!, a national nonprofit dedicated to bringing balanced and active play into the daily lives of all children.

Kathleen DiChiara, President & CEO of Community FoodBank of New Jersey, said, “We are focused on the well-being of low-income children in New Jersey and improving their lives and futures.  That, of course, means making sure they have nutritious meals.  But it also means access to fresh food, nutrition education and health screenings, as well as ensuring they have the chance for regular physical exercise.  Thanks to the generosity of Morgan Stanley’s Healthy Cities initiative, and the support of Feeding America and KaBOOM!, for bringing together these vital components for Newark children.”

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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