Y.O.U. awarded Browns and Bridgestone First and Ten Grant
Author: Clevelandbrowns.com
Published: Dec 15, 2022 at 04:18 PMTo conclude this year's "10 Days of Giving," the Cleveland Browns are proud to announce the recipients of the third annual First and Ten Grants program, presented by Bridgestone. The initiative, launched in October, contributed a total of $20,000 to 10 well-deserved organizations that endeavor to make a difference in Northeast Ohio.
Winner ($5,000 grant): Youth Opportunities Unlimited
Following a nomination process and evaluation by panel members, the non-profit organizations were selected based on their focus on education, youth football, social equality, and volunteerism. Fans had the opportunity to nominate their desired local non-profit organizations to be considered for the grants.
The Browns and Bridgestone partnered to create the grants to further their mission of supporting non-profit organizations, people, and projects that improve Ohio neighborhoods by providing them with opportunities to advance and extend the meaningful work that they do throughout the year.
Launched in June 2014, the Cleveland Browns First and Ten campaign is the team's community program, established to inspire fans to #give10 and help their communities by volunteering for 10 hours each year. Through First and Ten, the Browns are the only NFL club to promote a long-term volunteering program that unifies the team and its entire fan base, with the goal of impacting every individual's city across the globe, as well as the franchise's local community. To date, more than 3 million hours of volunteering have been pledged through First and Ten. All Browns fans are encouraged to join the volunteering effort by signing the First and Ten pledge on the team's website and by sharing their stories with #give10.
Throughout "10 Days of Giving," Browns players, coaches and staff members have shared unique stories about community initiatives and contributions as part of the team's yearlong commitment to education, youth football, social justice, and inspiring others to support their communities through the First and Ten volunteer movement.
In addition to the team's First and Ten volunteering efforts, "10 Days of Giving" encompasses the Cleveland Browns Foundation's "Stay in the Game! Keep Learning, Every Day" Network and Browns Youth Football. The "Stay in the Game!" Network is focused on promoting equal educational opportunities for all students and school districts in Ohio, as well as combatting chronic absenteeism, while Browns Youth Football remains devoted to assisting the development, safety and growth of youth and high school football throughout the state by helping inspire a love of the game.
About the recipients of the First and Ten grants program, presented by Bridgestone:
Youth Opportunities Unlimited (Y.O.U.) is a nonprofit workforce development organization based in Cleveland, Ohio. For over 40 years Y.O.U. has served teens and young adults ages 14-24 living in under-resourced areas in Northeast Ohio. Its mission is to prepare teens and young adults to become economically self-sufficient contributors to building Northeast Ohio's educated, skilled and inclusive workforce.