New Brunswick, NJ, May 17, 2012 —Johnson & Johnson Family of Consumer Companies, in association with Walgreens, is launching Care with Pride™, a strategic initiative to support critically important efforts to help end bullying of all youth with non-profit partner, Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG). As half of all children are bullied at some point in their school years, including 90% of LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Transgender) youth*, Care with Pride™ will address these staggering statistics through national media, regional events and digital resources that raise awareness and promote the Safe Schools Action Pack.
"As a Corporation that is committed to the health and care for all people, the Johnson & Johnson Family of Consumer Companies is focused on continuing to uphold diversity and equality through a range of efforts externally as well as within our own organization," said Scott Creighton, Global Vice President, Marketing Excellence Group, Johnson & Johnson Family of Consumer Companies. "By partnering with PFLAG, we are helping to further their very important work to end bullying and create safer schools for all children."
Specifically, the Safe Schools Action Pack, a booklet containing PFLAG'S top ten ways to help make schools safer for all students, also contains $65 in coupons and rebates from 16 brands within the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies brands. One dollar for each coupon and rebate redeemed at Walgreens will support PFLAG's "Cultivating Respect: Safe Schools for All" initiative. Participating brands include Tylenol® PM, Listerine®, Listerine Whitening®, Rembrandt®, and Rogaine®.
Broadly promoted to encourage consumer participation, Care with Pride™ will be supported by advertising in LGBT and general market media as well as custom retail displays at 500 Walgreens locations. An exhibit featuring brands from the Johnson & Johnson Family of Consumer Companies will also travel to LGBT Pride festivals in Los Angeles, Denver, Chicago and San Diego. In demonstration of grassroots support, members of local PFLAG chapters and volunteers from Walgreens and from Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies will help distribute Care with Pride™ Safe Schools Action Packs at an additional 42 LGBT Pride festivals across the U.S. In total, approximately one million Safe School Action Packs are expected to reach consumers.
"PFLAG has a forty-year history of advocating on behalf of families and our Cultivating Respect: Safe Schools for All initiative—along with the remarkable work our chapters have done in their communities—serve an important role in the fight against bullying," said Jody Huckaby, Executive Director of PFLAG National. "Funding from Care with Pride™ increases our ability to work directly with schools to provide support, resources, training, model policy, and creative programs to create an environment of respect that makes schools safe for all children."
PFLAG mom Betty DeGeneres is lending her voice and support to the initiative. In a video message that can be seen on the PFLAG site and at www.walgreens.com/PRIDE, Betty explains, "Children can only learn when they feel safe in school, and it is our job—as parents, family members, friends, teachers—to create an environment where all students can get the education they deserve, free from the fear that they will be physically or emotionally harmed."
For more information and to download the Care with Pride™ Safe Schools Action Pack visit www.walgreens.com/pride or text PRIDE to 467467 (data rates from your carrier may apply). For more information on PFLAG and "Cultivating Respect: Safe Schools for All" visit www.pflag.org .
* American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, March 2011, Facts for Families: Bullying, No. 80; and GLSEN®, 2009, The 2009 National School Climate Survey
What is Care with Pride™?
-The Johnson & Johnson Family of Consumer Companies, in association with Walgreens, is launching Care with Pride™, a multi-pronged campaign to support the important efforts to end bullying of all youth with non-profit partner, Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG).
-Care with Pride™ was announced on April 2, 2012 at PFLAG's annual gala in New York City.
Helping to Make Schools Safe for All Students
-Bullying affects everyone. Half of all children are bullied at some point in their school years, including 90% of LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Transgender) youth. *
-A central tenet of Care with Pride™ is the Safe Schools Action Pack, a consumer booklet containing $65 in coupons and rebates from 16 different brands from the Johnson & Johnson Family of Consumer Companies, along with PFLAG'S top ten ways to help make schools safer for all students.
-For each Care with Pride™ coupon or rebate redeemed, PFLAG, including their "Cultivating Respect; Safe Schools for All" program will receive $1 from The Johnson & Johnson Family of Consumer Companies.
-PFLAG will receive a minimum of $200,000 and up to $300,000 for coupon/rebate redemption from the Johnson & Johnson Family of Consumer Companies to support their work including their efforts in communities to work directly with schools to provide support, resources, training, model policy and creative programs to create an environment of respect that makes schools safe for all children.
-Participating brands from The Johnson & Johnson Family of Consumer Companies include, but are not limited to, TYLENOL® PM, LISTERINE®, LISTERINE® WHITENING®, REMBRANDT®, and ROGAINE®
PFLAG and Cultivating Respect: Safe Schools for All
-PFLAG is Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. It is a national support, education and advocacy organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people, their families, friends and allies. With 200,000 members and supporters, and local affiliates in more than 350 communities across the U.S. and abroad, PFLAG is the largest grassroots-based family organization of its kind. PFLAG is a non-profit organization and is not affiliated with any religious or political institutions.
-PFLAG's "Cultivating Respect: Safe Schools for All" is an initiative to train and certify PFLAG members to go directly into schools with community resources, training for the entire staff, model policy and creative programs that address bullying and harassment.
Spreading The Word About Care with Pride™
-Care with Pride efforts can be found online at Walgreens.com/PRIDE, in LGBT and general market advertising, in nearly 500 participating Walgreens stores and at LGBT Pride festivals across the country.
-Betty Degeneres, an active PFLAG member, is helping to spread the word about Care with Pride™ and will be at the Care with Pride™ exhibit on (Day), (DATE) at (INSERT TIME IF POSSIBLE OR SAY "AFTERNOON") on the LA Pride festival grounds. She will also record a video message of support that will be seen on the Care with Pride™ site at Walgreens.com/PRIDE.
PFLAG'S Top 10 Ways You Can Help Make Schools Safe for All
1. Learn the Facts
Students who are, or thought to be, LGBT are at a higher risk for depression, self-harm, and dropping out of school.
2. Understand the Language
Respectful and appropriate language sets an understanding tone.
3. Stop Bad Behavior
Don't ignore discrimination or harassment, or be paralyzed by fear. Inaction makes the classroom unsafe.
4. Set the Policy
Strong anti-harassment policies protect students and the school.
5. Plan School-wide Activities
Films, books and other activities offer opportunities to build community and understanding.
6. Be Public
Adults must publicly oppose bullying and support diversity.
7. Address Cyber Bullying
Include cyber bullying in all anti-harassment policies.
8. Train and Educate Everyone
Train all adults—parents, teachers & administrators—to respond to bullying in ways that support every student.
9. Work for Comprehensive Health Education
Youth must have a clear understanding of their bodies and health.
10. Provide Resources
Visit www.pflag.org/safeschools for a full set of resources you can use to make your school safer.
-American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, March 2011, Facts for Families: Bullying, No. 80; and GLSEN®, 2009, The 2009 National School Climate Survey
-LISTERINE®, REMBRANDT® and ROGAINE® are brands marketed by Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Products Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc. TYLENOL® is a brand marketed by McNeil Consumer Healthcare Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc.
