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PHOENIX HOUSE YOUTH AND FAMILY COUNSELING CENTER RENAMED THE DEREK JETER CENTER AT PHOENIX HOUSE

$500,000 Donation from Jeter’s Turn 2 Foundation Supports Teens
in Substance Abuse Recovery

Tampa, FL (March 10, 2008) – New York Yankee Shortstop and Turn 2 Foundation President Derek Jeter joined members of the Phoenix House community in a dedication and renaming ceremony for “The Derek Jeter Center at Phoenix House” today, paving the way for a partnership that strengthens the effort to help young people working to overcome addiction.

Jeter also presented a generous $500,000 donation from the Turn 2 Foundation that will enhance existing programs and provide clients with expanded services that strengthen young people’s efforts to overcome addiction. A ribbon-cutting ceremony topped off the event, when Jeter helped cut a symbolic “Yankee Blue” ribbon for the newly renamed center. The Center had formerly been known as the Phoenix House Youth and Family Counseling Center.

  “I’m proud of the working relationship between Turn 2 and Phoenix House that will give these young people a chance to reclaim their lives and become a success,” said Derek Jeter, as he cut the ribbon on the renamed center. “Every child deserves the chance that Phoenix House gives these kids, to recognize their mistakes, learn the tools they need to change their habits and start out a new chapter in their lives. We have to support them in that effort.”

  "We are deeply grateful to Derek Jeter and the Turn-2 Foundation for their generous support of this critical service for Tampa's children," said Finn Kavanagh, Florida Regional Director for Phoenix House. "Since 2004, this Phoenix House location has touched the lives of more than 1,000 families and given young people a chance to recapture their true life's potential. With Derek's support, Phoenix House can be there for even more teens and families in our community when they reach out for help." 

  The mission of the new Jeter Center will include the creation of customized intervention and treatment plans to meet individual teens’ needs; including individual, group, and educational counseling to help address drug and alcohol abuse and other negative behaviors, while providing ongoing support and encouragement for positive growth. Family involvement is a key factor in the success of the program, and family counseling is an integral part of treatment. Enrollment information about the outpatient drug treatment programs is available via phone (813) 881-1000 (ask for admissions) or by visiting www.phoenixhouse.org.

About Turn 2 Foundation:

The Turn 2 Foundation creates and supports signature programs and activities that motivate young people to turn away from drugs and alcohol and "TURN 2" healthy lifestyles. Through these ventures, the Foundation strives to create outlets that promote and reward academic excellence, leadership development and positive behavior. Turn 2's goal is to see the children of these programs grow safely and successfully into adulthood and become the leaders of tomorrow.

 About Phoenix House:

Founded in 1967, Phoenix House is one of the leading substance abuse treatment and prevention service providers in the U.S., serving more than 7,000 men, women and adolescents each day at more than 120 programs in nine states, including New York, California, Texas, Florida, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine.

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Media Contact

Marianne Jaycox
646-505-2091
mjaycox@phoenixhouse.org

Kathy Lynn
917-592-7526
klynn@rubenstein.com

Jody Fisher
347-419-0444
jfisher@rubenstein.com