The New York Yankees are proud to announce the return of HOPE Week (Helping Others Persevere & Excel) in 2018 for the 10th consecutive season. The initiative is a unique week-long community program that brings to light five remarkable stories intended to inspire individuals into action in their own communities. HOPE Week 2018 will take place in New York from Monday, June 11 through Friday, June 15.
Each day over the five-day stretch, the Yankees will reach out to an individual, family or organization worthy of recognition and support, surprising honorees with a day celebrating their accomplishments. Outreach will often take place away from Yankee Stadium, allowing the Yankees to personally connect with individuals in settings that highlight their greatest successes.
This year's event will mark the seventh year that all of the organization's U.S.-based minor league affiliates will hold their own HOPE Weeks, allowing the initiative to reach five additional cities and touch more than two dozen additional individuals and groups.
HOPE Week is rooted in the fundamental belief that acts of goodwill provide hope and encouragement to more than just the recipient of the gesture. Fans can learn more about the initiative and nominate inspirational individuals for HOPE Week recognition by visiting the official website at hopeweek.com.
ABOUT THE CEREMONY AND HONOREE - COMPUTER MENTORS GROUP
For the eighth straight year, the Yankees will recognize an individual or organization from the Tampa area during spring training.
The Yankees will kick off this year's announcement of HOPE Week with a pregame ceremony on Wednesday, March 21 at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa prior to the Yankees' 6:35 p.m. game vs. the Baltimore Orioles.
In the spirit of the initiative, this year's honoree is Computer Mentors Group, a non-profit organization that provides computer training to inner-city youth in the greater Tampa Bay area, while also establishing a network of computer professionals to serve as mentors to the students. Through the experience and mentorship provided by Computer Mentors Group, many of the students have gone on to seek professional careers in the technology industry.
The organization was founded in 1997 by Executive Director Ralph Smith and has since expanded to help more than 1,800 members of the community. Computer Mentors Group has also provided approximately 750 of those students in need with Internet access at their homes and/or refurbished computers.
To get involved with Computer Mentors Group or for more information, please call 813-236-1191 or email [email protected].
MORE ABOUT HOPE WEEK (Please also visit hopeweek.com)
At its core, HOPE Week is about people helping people. The one thing everybody has - no matter their background or financial situation - is time. By involving every one of our players and coaches, Manager Aaron Boone, General Manager Brian Cashman and front office staff during the celebration of HOPE Week, the Yankees send the message that everyone can give of themselves to make their community a better place.
Equally significant during HOPE Week is garnering publicity for the highlighted causes and organizations. The greatest challenge facing many not-for-profits is generating interest, awareness and funding for their missions.
At the conclusion of the last eight HOPE Weeks, the Yankees organization has been honored with the President's Volunteer Service Award, given "in recognition and appreciation of commitment to strengthening the nation and for making a difference through volunteer service." The awards were bestowed by the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation in conjunction with the Corporation for National and Community Service.
The Yankees have additionally been honored with the "Just Cause" Award at the PromaxBDA Sports Media Marketing Summit on November 15, 2011, and the "DMF Champion of HOPE" Award from Daniel's Music Foundation on November 8, 2011. HOPE Week was also recognized by the National Sportsmanship Awards in 2010.
The Yankees encourage all their fans to get involved … Give HOPE!