Investing Pays Off! NYC Girl Scouts Work with Merrill Lynch to Take Ch

Investing Pays Off! NYC Girl Scouts Work with Merrill Lynch to Take Charge of Their Financial Futures

    Business Editors

    NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 9, 2005--

Girl Scout Council of Greater New York Offers Merrill Lynch Investing Pays Off(R) Program to Girls
    The Girl Scout Council of Greater New York and Merrill Lynch believe that early education is the key to women's long-term financial success. In celebration of Girl Scout Week, from March 6-13, 2005, the Council and Merrill Lynch are announcing a brand new initiative to bring Girl Scouts the skills to compete and succeed in a global marketplace through Investing Pays Off(R) (IPO(R))--a unique program teaching entrepreneurship, personal finance, business savvy and leadership skills to youth.
    There is a vital need for this program today. According to research published by Girl Scouts of the USA, ninety percent of American women will be solely responsible for their own financial self-sufficiency at some point in their lives. Seventy-five percent will work at paid jobs, but 40 percent of women workers will earn wages below the poverty level. The survey also suggests that women are less educated in money management: 48 percent of single women ages 21 to 34 reported that they live from paycheck to paycheck, versus 38 percent of men.
    Merrill Lynch's Investing Pays Off(R) curriculum covers 15 strategies for success in the essential areas of leadership, entrepreneurship, personal finance, and business savvy and can be presented in a variety of settings, from community centers to living rooms. It is an ideal program for Girl Scouts to learn during troop meetings, with insights provided by Merrill Lynch volunteers, who will bring the materials alive. All girls completing the program will receive an Investing Pays Off (R) patch for their uniform sashes and many will have the opportunity to visit Wall Street.
    "Girls grow into strong women when they have access to educational opportunities, hands-on experiences and positive role models," said Senior Vice President Terry Kassel, Head of Human Resources at Merrill Lynch. "By combining the educational resources of our IPO(R) program with the personal touch and real-life examples of Merrill Lynch volunteers, we believe we can help today's Daisy, Brownie and Scholars Girl Scouts become tomorrow's business leaders. We are very pleased to launch this partnership with the Girl Scout Council of Greater New York."
    "At the Girl Scouts, we recognize the need for essential fiscal responsibility programs like Investing Pays Off(R)," said Rosa Agosto, CEO of the Girl Scout Council of Greater New York. "We strive build girls of confidence, courage and character who make the world a better place, and we recognize the importance of cultivating their interest in math, science and finance. Investing Pays Off(R) will serve as a crucial component of our effort during coming program years."
    In order to complete the activities associated with the patch, Daisy Girl Scouts (ages 4-5) will learn about a range of topics, such as the worth of objects and coins, what a paycheck is, how saving can pay off and how to give to others. The colorful Investing Pays Off(R) guidebook uses illustrations of the Sesame Street character Elmo to help make learning about money fun.
    Cadette (ages 12-14) and Senior (ages 15-17) Girl Scouts will also have an opportunity to participate in Investing Pays Off(R) and will have the opportunity to compete for educational scholarships awarded by Merrill Lynch.

    About the Girl Scout Council of Greater New York: Girl Scouts builds girls of confidence, courage and character who make their communities and the world a better place. The Girl Scout Council of Greater New York offers the Girl Scout experience to all girls in the five boroughs of New York City. By delivering a diverse range of educational, cultural and skill-building programs to nearly 22,000 girl members with the help of more than 7,000 adult volunteers, we are fulfilling our core mission of helping girls grow into capable and responsible women who respect themselves and others. Our research shows positive and encouraging results: girls who are Girl Scouts are high achievers, have high self-esteem and set high life goals.

    About Merrill Lynch's Philanthropy: Merrill Lynch was founded on the idea that the world is full of opportunity. Opening the door to that opportunity for underserved children and youth is the focus of our global philanthropy. In 2003, Merrill Lynch giving totaled more than $30 million, with education receiving nearly half of that support. Merrill Lynch's flagship program Investing Pays Off(R)--or IPO(R)--helps create a level playing field for youngsters of all backgrounds through financial literacy, entrepreneurship, leadership and career development. The program strength lies in a free curriculum, the involvement of Merrill Lynch volunteers and online educational resources at http://volunteer.ml.com.

--30--MW/ny*

CONTACT: Girl Scouts: Jennifer Rumbach, (212) 645-4000 ext. 278 Mobile: 917-449-1383 jrumbach@girlscoutsnyc.org or Merrill Lynch: Selena Morris, (212) 449-7283 Mobile: 917-446-1963 selena_morris@ml.com

KEYWORD: NEW YORK INDUSTRY KEYWORD: BANKING MARKETING AGREEMENTS SOURCE: Merrill Lynch

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