Family Moved to Canada to Give Children Better Lives

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HAMILTON, ON, Sept. 13, 2011 /CNW/ - CIBC (CM: TSX) (CM: NYSE) Grade 10 student, Camillo Sanchez, has been awarded a CIBC Youthvision^TM Scholarship valued at up to $36,000.

"I'm extremely happy about receiving the scholarship, but what made all the hard work worth it was seeing my mom's reaction," said Camillo, 17. "She immediately started crying and that's when I realized how worried she was about paying for university."

Born in Colombia, Camillo and his family immigrated in Canada in 2002. His mom moved here to seek better lives for her children - including getting them a good education.

"The feeling of being a Canadian citizen is finally sinking in. I no longer fear for my future, instead I work to be a positive voice in a great country." Camillo has aspirations of becoming a politician and volunteers for many advocacy groups.

Early intervention in Grade 10 makes this scholarship program unique in Canada. CIBC Youthvision^TM targets high-potential young people who might not otherwise have the opportunity to pursue a university or college education. To be eligible Grade 10 students must be enrolled in a mentoring program with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada or the YMCA.

"Congratulations to Camillo Sanchez on being awarded a CIBC Youthvision Scholarship," said Larry Tomei, CIBC Senior Vice-President for Central Canada. "Camillo was selected for his success in school, the support he provides his family and the volunteer work he does. We are proud to support such an outstanding individual."

On September 19, 2011 Rymel Road East and Terryberry CIBC Banking Centre will present Camillo six summer internships through the YMCA that begin right after Grade 10, valued at up to $20,000 and tuition for four years, valued at up to $16,000. He will receive ongoing mentoring from either Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada or YMCA until he graduates from university. In addition, he will take part in CIBC Money Smarts for Students Seminar to help him shape his financial future as he prepares to head off to college or university.

CIBC is committed to supporting causes that matter to our clients, our employees and our communities.  We aim to make a difference in communities through corporate donations, sponsorships and the volunteer spirit of employees.  With a strategic focus on youth, education and health, and employee commitment to causes including the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure, the CIBC Children's Foundation and United Way, we are investing in the social and economic development of communities across the country. In 2010, CIBC group of companies contributed approximately $34 million to charitable and non-profit initiatives in Canada to support national, regional and local organizations. To learn more, visit www.cibc.com

Rymel Road East and Terryberry CIBC Banking is located at 2140 Rymal Rd E, Hamilton ON

The presentation will begin on September 19, 2011 at 5 pm.