Press release
Englewood Youth Organization, Crushers Club, Named “Charity Partner of the Year” by the Chicago Region of the Porsche Club of America
CHICAGO – May 13, 2021 – Crushers Club, an innovative, Chicago-based nonprofit focused on youth violence prevention, has been selected as “Charity Partner of the Year” by the Chicago Region of the Porsche Club of America (PCA).
As part of its commitment, PCA Chicago will solicit individual donations from its 3,500 members, which will be presented as an aggregate gift to Crushers Club at its annual gala in December. Donations from PCA Chicago members will be used to fund the Crushers Club WorkForce initiative, which provides employment to Crushers youth through business partners in Englewood and neighboring communities. The partnership will also include opportunities for Crushers teen members to attend and participate in the region’s events such as Autocross and Club Racing events.
"We are delighted to have Crushers Club as our 2021 charity partner,” said Bob Rath, President of the Chicago Region of the Porsche Club of America. “With its focus on bettering the lives of some of Chicago’s most vulnerable youth, the Crushers Club mission fits perfectly with our ongoing commitment to supporting youth and teenagers in underserved Chicago communities.”
"We are grateful to PCA Chicago for supporting the young men who rely on Crushers Club every day as a safe and productive alternative to the streets," said Neal Hall, Director of Programming for Crushers Club. “Our partnership with PCA Chicago will provide opportunities for our Crushers to participate in some exciting events while also reenforcing a sense of purpose and belonging outside of gangs."
The PCA Chicago charity partner of the year is chosen after a rigorous nomination and selection process. Past charity partners have included SparkShop and Toys for Tots.
For more information about Crushers Club, please visit crushersclub.org or email info@crushersclub.org.
About Crushers Club
Crushers Club is driven by its mission to be the strongest alternative to gangs by providing acutely high-risk boys and young men (ages 8-18) with the support and tools needed to restore their lives and improve their neighborhood. Created in response to the epidemic of violence and incarceration in the Englewood community on Chicago’s South Side, Crushers Club delivers a holistic, multi-year program focused on job training/employment and intensive mentoring along with community/recreational activities and supportive services. Since 2013, Crushers Club has served more than 500 youth, many of whom were referred through the juvenile justice system.
Crushers Club is supported by generous contributions from Compass, W.P. and H.B. White Foundation, Prince Charitable Trusts, Armin and Esther Hirsch Foundation, Kenilworth Union Church, Andrew and Alice Fischer Charitable Trust, Chicago Region of the Porsche Club of America, Chicago Board of Trade Foundation, CME Group Foundation, Guggenheim Partners, Bank of America, The Joseph L. Rippe Sr. Family Trust, Voices: The Chicago Jewish Teen Foundation (Jewish United Fund), Christ Church Winnetka, Walmart Spark Fund for Charities, Novolex, and many individual donors.
About the Chicago Region of the Porsche Club of America
Established in 1957 as the Chicago-Milwaukee region before separating in 1960, the Chicago Region of the Porsche Club of America is one of the largest PCA regions with more than 3,500 members.