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ascena Foundation announces the 2017 winners of the Roslyn S. Jaffe Awards

  • Three Diverse Social Impact Organizations Awarded a Combined $150,000 in Grants to Help Make a Positive Influence on Women and Children in Communities Across the Country
  • Chosen by an esteemed selection committee including Mrs. Roslyn S. Jaffe and Media industry leaders Adam Glassman and Meredith Rollins

MAHWAH, N.J., 2017-Oct-11 — /EPR Retail News/ — ascena Foundation is proud to announce the 2017 winners of the Roslyn S. Jaffe Awards. The annual program, now in its fourth year, aims to empower and provide financial support to grassroots organizations who are making a meaningful difference in the lives of women and/or children in communities across the United States, specifically in the areas of health, education, social reform and esteem. This year’s winners include: Appetite for Change, Home Works! and Found in Translation. A luncheon to honor them will take place on October 26th at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City. Acclaimed journalist and philanthropist, Soledad O’Brien will emcee the event.

ascena Foundation, a charitable organization established by ascena retail group inc., is built on making a meaningful difference in the lives of others. The Foundation created the awards program to honor the lifelong contributions of Roslyn S. Jaffe. “Reaching, supporting and honoring working women has always been our goal, from the day we started dressbarn over 50 years ago,” states Mrs. Roslyn S. Jaffe, Co-Founder of dressbarn and Secretary & Director Emeritus for Life of ascena retail group inc. She continues, “Through the awards program, we are able to identify and thank the wonderful people who dedicate their lives to helping others through their organizations. I am thrilled to announce this year’s winners, as I feel they each truly embody what it means to be an everyday hero.”

A trailblazing female entrepreneur, Mrs. Jaffe began her career in 1962. As a working mother, she recognized the need for a convenient one-stop-shop that offered value-based and fashion-forward wardrobe solutions for busy women like herself. It was then that Mrs. Jaffe opened the first dressbarn store in Stamford, CT, eventually growing it into ascena retail group inc., a multibillion dollar family of brands, including Ann Taylor, LOFT, Lou & Grey, maurices, dressbarn, Lane Bryant, Catherines and Justice. The Roslyn S. Jaffe Awards honor Mrs. Jaffe’s entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to giving back, while also celebrating the female entrepreneurs who give back to their local communities.

Media industry leaders including Adam Glassman, Creative Director of O, The Oprah Magazine, and Meredith Rollins, Editor in Chief of Redbook Magazine, alongside an esteemed selection committee with expertise in women’s causes, public affairs, health and education selected the three winning organizations based on five criteria: their impact on women and/or children in the U.S., service of lower-to-middle class beneficiaries, use of innovative approaches, scalability, and overall need and use for funding.

In addition to receiving financial grants that can be used to further impact the winners’ causes, these grassroots organizations will join the Roslyn S. Jaffe Alumni Summit where they will become part of a network of winners who benefit from an annual two-day conference that offers collaborations with other peer organizations. This Summit is one example of the ways in which the ascena Foundation continues its relationships with the winners of the Jaffe Awards program year to year in an effort to help them succeed and expand.

The 2017 Roslyn S. Jaffe Awards winners all positively impact women and/or children in low income circumstances, both in their local communities and nationwide. The 2017 winning organizations include:

  • Michelle Horovitz, Tasha Powell and Princess Titus of Appetite for Change ($100,000 Grand Prize Grant Recipient)
    Appetite for Change uses food as a tool to build health, wealth and social change in North Minneapolis. Their programs include community cooking workshops, urban agriculture and organized food policy efforts. They train North Minneapolis youth in urban farming, food preparation and leadership, with a focus on providing direct career pathways to the food service industry.
  • Maria Vertkin of Found in Translation ($25,000 Grant Recipient)
    Found in Translation is a Boston-based organization that helps bilingual women to overcome homelessness and poverty by capitalizing on their language skills and becoming professional medical interpreters. Through Found in Translation’s workforce development program, women earn a Medical Interpreting Certificate, develop job skills and financial literacy, and receive job placement assistance upon completing the training.
  • Karen Kalish of HOME WORKS! ($25,000 Grant Recipient)
    St. Louis-based HOME WORKS! aims to increase academic achievement, attendance, parental engagement, homework completion and attitudes about school, and decrease discipline issues. They train and help pay teachers and other school personnel to make home visits to forge a relationship with the parents/families/guardians and get them engaged in their child’s education. Teachers get to know them, share information about the student, and give them the tools to help children do better in school and succeed academically and socially.

“Winning the Roslyn S. Jaffe Award is the greatest honor we’ve had as a team so far,” says Michelle Horovitz, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Appetite for Change. She continues, “The three of us have been making lemonade since we started, and the award is recognition of our passion and hard work despite the bumps along the way. This funding is extremely meaningful for AFC and will help us grow more food, leaders and communities.”

To celebrate the winning organizations, a luncheon will be held at Cipriani in NYC on October 26th. Soledad O’Brien, emcee of the event says, “This will mark my fourth year being a part of this unbelievable program.  I am always amazed to learn about the wonderful causes and organizations that are further empowering and helping women and children across the country. This year is even more relevant for women and I look forward to honoring the winners.”

For additional information about the Roslyn S. Jaffe Awards and this year’s winners, please visit www.jaffeawards.com.

About Roslyn S. Jaffe
Roslyn S. Jaffe co-founded the first dressbarn store in 1962; currently she is Co-Founder, Secretary & Director Emeritus for Life of ascena retail group inc. She is a graduate of Simmons College, and was awarded an honorary Doctorate degree in management from Simmons College in 2011.

In 1962, Roslyn S. Jaffe was a working mother who, with her husband Elliott, saw a need and had a brilliant business idea – a one-stop-shop that offered the convenience of a value-based, yet fashion forward “work” wardrobe solution for busy women. Roslyn and Elliot seized the opportunity and opened a small store named dressbarn in Stamford, CT and helped transform it into what is now ascena retail group inc., a multibillion dollar family of brands including Ann Taylor, LOFT, Lou & Grey, maurices, dressbarn, Lane Bryant, Catherines and Justice.  A true trailblazer and entrepreneur, Mrs. Jaffe credits her success to strength, determination and a can-do attitude. But, most of all, she credits the company’s success to a strong team of family, friends and associates.

Understanding the needs of her co-workers, many of whom were also “working moms,” Roslyn Jaffe encouraged a close-knit community where associates could rely on each other. In addition, Mrs. Jaffe supported like-minded organizations in the community and was an early advocate for Dress for Success®, an organization that promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. This “take care of your own” camaraderie is what inspired the company years later to establish ascena Foundation, the philanthropic organization.

About ascena Foundation
ascena Foundation, established by ascena retail group inc., is passionate about making a meaningful difference in the lives of others. ascena Foundation supports ascena’s family of purpose-driven brands that focus their charitable giving for the benefit of women and children, and the causes most important to them.

About ascena retail group inc.
ascena retail group inc. (NASDAQ: ASNA) is a leading national specialty retailer offering apparel, shoes, and accessories for women under the Premium Fashion segment (Ann Taylor, LOFT, and Lou & Grey), Value Fashion segment (maurices and dressbarn), Plus Fashion segment (Lane Bryant and Catherines), and for tween girls under the Kids Fashion segment (Justice).  ascena retail group inc. operates ecommerce websites and approximately 4,800 stores throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

For more information about ascena retail group inc. visit: ascenaretail.com, AnnTaylor.com, LOFT.com, louandgrey.com, maurices.com, dressbarn.com, lanebryant.com, Catherines.com, and shopjustice.com.

PR Contacts:
Kucerak + Co.
Lauren Kucerak/Kelly Cormier
Lauren@kucerakandco.com / Kelly@kucerakandco.com
212.510.8590

SOURCE: ascena retail group, inc.

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2016 winners of the Roslyn S. Jaffe Awards announced by ascena Foundation

MAHWAH, N.J., 2016-Oct-23 — /EPR Retail News/ — ascena retail group, inc., through their ascena Foundation, is proud to announce the 2016 winners of the Roslyn S. Jaffe Awards. The Awards Program, now in its third year, aims to empower and provide financial support to everyday heroes who are making a meaningful impact in communities across the United States, specifically in the areas of health, education, social reform and esteem.

The Roslyn S. Jaffe Awards honor the lifelong contributions of Roslyn S. Jaffe, co-founder of dressbarn and Director Emeritus of ascena retail group, inc. “I’m thrilled to announce this year’s Award winners and recognize these exceptional leaders who are making the world a better place for women and children,” says Mrs. Jaffe. “This year, we received a record number of applications for nominations, showcasing the overwhelming number of organizations that are positively contributing to their local communities. It is truly an honor to welcome these women into the Jaffe Awards family and to support and celebrate organizations who are essential to the strength, health and betterment of our communities.”

As a trailblazing entrepreneur, Mrs. Jaffe began her career in 1962. Mrs. Jaffe was a working mother who saw a need for a convenient one-stop-shop that offered value-based and fashion-forward wardrobe solutions for busy women like herself.  It was then that Mrs. Jaffe opened the first dressbarn store in Stamford, CT, eventually growing into ascena retail group, inc., a $7.4 billion family of retail brands, including Ann Taylor, LOFT, Lou & Grey, Lane Bryant, Cacique, maurices, dressbarn, and Catherines brands. The Jaffe Awards honors Mrs. Jaffe’s entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to give back, while also encouraging social entrepreneurs to be heroes in their local communities.

The 2016 Roslyn S. Jaffe Awards winners all positively impact low-income women and children, both in their local communities and nationwide. The 2016 winners include:

  • Vanessa Garrison & Morgan Dixon, founders of GirlTrek ($100,000 Grand Prize Recipient)
    GirlTrek is a national nonprofit that mobilizes African-American women to live their healthiest, most fulfilled lives through the habit of daily walking. “As an organization that helps improve the health of tens of thousands of black women and their families, this Award will help bring critical resources and attention to GirlTrek’s mission while advancing our goal to inspire 1 million black women and girls across the country to walk every day by 2018,” said co-founder Vanessa Garrison.
  • Lara Mendel, executive director of The Mosaic Project ($25,000 Grant Recipient)
    The Mosaic Project aims to create a peaceful future by uniting children of diverse backgrounds, providing them with essential community-building skills, and empowering them to become peacemakers in their communities.
  • Shira Greenberg, founder and artistic director of Keshet Dance ($25,000 Grant Recipient)
    Keshet Dance’s mission is to inspire and unite communities by fostering unlimited possibilities through dance, mentorship and a creative space for the arts.

An esteemed Selection Committee with expertise in women’s causes, public affairs, health and education selected three Awards winners based on five criteria: Their impact on women and children in the U.S., service of lower-to-middle class beneficiaries, use of innovative approaches, scalability, and overall need and use for funding. In addition to receiving financial grants that can be used to further impact the winners’ causes, these grassroots organizations will benefit from increased exposure, funding opportunities, and often the potential for expanded programming, collaborations and partnerships with other peer organizations.

A luncheon to honor the winners will take place on October 27, 2016 at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City. Acclaimed journalist and philanthropist, Soledad O’Brien, will emcee the event.

“I’m so honored to be a part of this fantastic initiative,” says Soledad O’Brien, award-winning journalist and proud supporter of the Roslyn S. Jaffe Awards. “This is my third year participating in the luncheon, and every year I’m impressed to learn about the wonderful causes and organizations that are further empowering and helping women and children across the country.”

Leading up to the luncheon, ascena retail group, inc. will host the inaugural Alumni Summit that will convene all previous grant recipients, further encouraging collaborations and partnerships amongst peers.

For additional information about the Roslyn S. Jaffe Awards and this year’s winners, please visit www.jaffeawards.com.

About Roslyn S.Jaffe
Roslyn S. Jaffe co-founded the first dressbarn store in 1962; currently she is Director Emeritus of ascena retail group, inc. She is a graduate of Simmons College, and was awarded an honorary Doctorate degree in management from Simmons College in 2011.

In 1962, Roslyn S. Jaffe was a working mother who, with her husband Elliott, saw a need and had a brilliant business idea – a one-stop-shop that offered the convenience of a value-based, yet fashion forward “work” wardrobe solution for busy women.. Roslyn and Elliot seized the opportunity and opened a small store named dressbarn in Stamford, CT and helped transform it into what is now ascena retail group, inc., a $7 billion plus family of brands. A true trailblazer and entrepreneur, Mrs. Jaffe credits her success to strength, determination, and a can-do attitude. But, most of all, she credits the company’s success to a strong team of family, friends, and associates.

Understanding the needs of her co-workers, many of whom were also “working moms,” Roslyn Jaffe encouraged a close-knit community where associates could rely on each other. In addition, Mrs. Jaffe supported like-minded organizations in the community and was an early advocate for Dress for Success®, an organization that promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. This “take care of your own” camaraderie is what inspired the company years later to establish ascena Cares, the company’s philanthropic organization.

About ascena Cares
Within ascena and its family of brands there is a rich history of giving.  This is demonstrated through ascena Cares, which embodies the extraordinary philanthropic efforts within the organization.  ascena and its brands have contributed over $100 million towards causes that benefit women and children, and the communities where they live.  Whether through collective partnerships or individual brand outreach efforts, ascena is a family of brands that respects and serves women and girls and is dedicated to making a positive impact on their lives.  And, through ascena Cares, several funds were established to provide support directly to associates, their families and their communities, including:  an emergency assistance fund to help associates in challenging times; a scholarship fund to help associates’ children get a higher education; and a crisis relief fund to help associates and their surrounding communities in times of need.

About ascena retail group, inc.
ascena retail group, inc. (NASDAQ: ASNA) is a leading national specialty retailer offering apparel, shoes, and accessories for women under the Ann Taylor, LOFT, Lou & Grey, Lane Bryant, maurices, dressbarn and Catherines brands, and for tween girls under the Justice brand.  ascena retail group, inc. operates ecommerce websites and approximately 4,900 stores throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

For more information about ascena retail group, inc. visit:  ascenaretail.com, AnnTaylor.com, LOFT.com, louandgrey.com, lanebryant.com, cacique.com, maurices.com, dressbarn.com, Catherines.com, shopjustice.com

CONTACT:  
Diana Hitzig
MSLGROUP
(646) 500-7686
diana.hitzig@mslgroup.com

SOURCE: ascena retail group, inc.

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ascena Foundation opens the third annual Roslyn S. Jaffe Awards nomination

ascena Foundation to provide $150,000 in Grants to those Making an Impact in Communities Across the Country

MAHWAH, N.J, 2016-May-13 — /EPR Retail News/ — ascena Foundation is proud to announce that the Third Annual Roslyn S. Jaffe Awards nomination period is open and is looking to empower, and provide much needed support to everyday heroes in communities across the United States. Nominations can be submitted online at www.JaffeAwards.com or via a mail-in form through June 15, 2016.

The Roslyn S. Jaffe Awards (the “Awards”) launched in 2014 in recognition of the lifelong contributions of Roslyn S. Jaffe, co-founder of the first dressbarn store in 1962 and Director Emeritus of ascena retail group, inc. The Awards recognizes the creators and founders of social impact organizations that are improving the lives of women and children, specifically in the areas of health, education, social reform and self-esteem.

“There is great need in our communities today, especially facing women and children, and through the Awards, we can celebrate those who are making the world a better place and driving lasting impact,” says Mrs. Jaffe. “While we are proud to provide our support through grant money, it is these individuals who are the true heroes and the people making a difference. I’m so excited to announce our third year of support, and can’t wait to hear the wonderful stories of this year’s nominees.”

Each year, Roslyn Jaffe, Elise Jaffe and an esteemed Selection Committee with expertise in women’s causes, public affairs, health and education selects the Awards winners who receive financial grants. As a result of the Awards, winners are able to increase exposure, credibility, funding opportunities, and often the potential for expanded programming, collaborations and partnerships with other peer organizations. The 2015 Roslyn S. Jaffe Awards winners included:

  • Connecticut-based All Our Kin, which trains and supports community childcare providers to ensure that children and families have the foundation they need to succeed in school and in life. (Grand Prize Recipient, $100,000)
  • St. Louis-based VolunTEEN Nation, which connects young people with organizations, service projects and resources in low-income areas to learn new skills that will impact their communities. (Grant Recipient, $25,000)
  • Chicago-based Polished Pebbles Girls Mentoring Program, which provides low-income, inner-city girls with the opportunity to learn effective communication in preparation for personal and professional endeavors. (Grant Recipient,$25,000)

“Because of the grant money we received from the Jaffe Awards, we’ve been able to raise the quality of care and education for our family care providers,” said Jessica Sager, co-founder and executive director at All Our Kin. “With the support of the Jaffe Awards, in 2016 we’ll reach nearly 450 caregivers, with the capacity to serve over 2,600 children. We’ve also begun to attract national attention; in just the past few months, our work has been highlighted by leaders in the field ranging from the Stanford Social Innovation Review, to the New America Foundation, to the Federal Office of Child Care. Cities and states across the country are looking to All Our Kin as a model, and are thinking of ways they can better support family care providers in their own communities; we have big plans for growth.”

The 2016 Roslyn S. Jaffe Awards will once again grant $100,000 to a Grand Prize Winner and $25,000 to two runner-up awardees. Deadline for entry is June 15, 2016. Winners will be announced at the end of September and will be honored at the Third Annual Roslyn S. Jaffe Awards Luncheon in October, hosted by acclaimed journalist and philanthropist Soledad O’Brien.

To submit a nomination online, visit www.jaffeawards.com/jaffe/nominate.aspx.

About Roslyn S. Jaffe
Roslyn S. Jaffe co-founded the first dressbarn store in 1962 and is Director Emeritus of ascena retail group, inc. She is a graduate of Simmons College, and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate degree in management from Simmons College in 2011.

In 1962, Roslyn S. Jaffe was a working mother who, with her husband Elliott, saw a need and had a brilliant business idea – a one-stop-shop that offered the convenience of a value-based, yet, fashion forward “work” wardrobe solution for busy women, like herself. Roslyn and Elliot seized the opportunity and opened a small store named dressbarn in Stamford, CT and helped it grow into the successful, $7.4 billion, eight-brands specialty retail empire it is today (ascena retail group, inc.). A true trailblazer and entrepreneur, Mrs. Jaffe credits her success to strength, determination and a can-do attitude. But, most of all, she credits the company’s success to a strong team of family, friends and associates.

Understanding the needs of her co-workers, who were also “working moms,” Roslyn Jaffe encouraged a close-knit community where associates could rely on each other. In addition, Mrs. Jaffe supported like-minded organizations in the community and was an early advocate for Dress for Success®, an organization that promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. This “take care of your own” camaraderie is what inspired the company years later to establish ascena Cares, the company’s group of charitable organizations.

About ascena Foundation
Ascena, through the ascena Foundation, is passionate about making a meaningful difference in the lives of others. The ascena Foundation supports ascena’s family of purpose-driven brands that focus their charitable giving for the benefit of women and children, and the causes most important to them. The ascena Foundation and other charitable programs have been established as part of our ascena Cares (www.ascenacares.com) program.

About ascena retail group, inc.
ascena retail group, inc. (NASDAQ: ASNA) is a leading national specialty retailer offering clothing, shoes, and accessories for missy and plus-size women under the Ann Taylor, LOFT, Lou & Grey, Lane Bryant, Cacique, maurices, dressbarn, andCatherines brands, and for tween girls under the Justice brand. ascena retail group, inc. operates, through its 100% owned subsidiaries, ecommerce operations and over 4,900 stores throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

For more information about ascena retail group, visit ascenaretail.com, AnnTaylor.com, LOFT.com, louandgrey.com, lanebryant.com, cacique.com, maurices.com, dressbarn.com, catherines.com, and shopjustice.com.

CONTACT:
Diana Hitzig
MSLGROUP
(646) 500-7686
diana.hitzig@mslgroup.com

SOURCE ascena retail group, inc.