Royal Bank of Canada and Jersey City Medical Center combine forces to help the city thrive.
“At Royal Bank of Canada, we see ourselves as committed to the community above and beyond our business—and Jersey City Medical Center is the bedrock of this community,” says John Thurlow, Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer, U.S. Capital Markets, for Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) Capital Markets. “From day one, we knew there was a fit between our organizations.”
Ever since RBC transferred 40 percent of its U.S. staff to Jersey City in 2015, the global investment bank and Jersey City Medical Center (JCMC) have partnered to create a healthier community.
This year, JCMC was chosen for a $50,000 award, based on employee votes, as part of RBC’s signature annual Trade for the Kids event, in which a portion of a day’s profit is donated to youth-serving charities.
JCMC has also received grants from the RBC Foundation–USA, which invests in local communities by supporting nonprofits in the areas of youth, health, human services, and arts and culture. For the past four years, RBC has made a generous grant to the Tiger’s Den, a school-based youth services program at Snyder High School in the Gr Greenville section of Jersey City.
Those funds support Tiger’s Den summer programs, including mentoring, team-building, and trips.
“Each year, RBC employees participate in one or more of the Tiger’s Den programs,” Thurlow explains.
“Last year, for example, we went along on a bowling outing.” This past summer, due to the limitations caused by the pandemic, Tiger’s Den funds were redirected to student needs such as food cards and laptops for remote learning.
Mutual Benefit
The relationship between RBC and JCMC is a two-way street.
“We’ve provided our experts for video calls and presentations on a whole range of issues— from stress management to diversity and inclusion, to behavioral health issues, parenting a special-needs child and more,” says Nicole Kagan, Vice President of the Jersey City Medical Center Foundation, which raises funds for JCMC. “The kind of relationship we have with RBC is an example of Jersey City Medical Center’s commitment to keeping the community healthy, both inside and outside the hospital doors.”
“In addition to being a great source of medical insights, Jersey City Medical Center has also provided all of our Jersey City employees with a program called Gold Coast Medical Concierge Services,” Thurlow says. “It provides guidance for any health needs an employee may have and is a wonderful resource for us.”
“Our partnership with RBC is a model for robust community engagement,” says Kagan. “Their leadership is so thoughtful and collaborative, and RBC is an ideal corporate citizen—the kind that’s so important to help Jersey City thrive.”
Thurlow finds himself an advocate for Jersey City for personal as well as professional reasons. He moved to the city from his longtime home in the suburbs two years ago. “This community is so active in terms of continual improvement on every level,” he says. “As an individual, you can have an impact and play an important role to better the community. I truly can say I love Jersey City.”
To learn more about giving opportunities, visit Jersey City Medical Center's Giving page or call (201) 377-6057.