Mes: agosto 2020

NEW YORK, Aug. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — China General Chamber of Commerce – USA (CGCC) and CGCC Foundation today released its 2020 Annual Business Survey Report on Chinese Enterprises in the U.S. Conducted in partnership with PwC, the survey found that over 50% of Chinese companies operating in the U.S. have been adversely affected by the escalating anti-China rhetoric in recent months, with 36% of those companies citing that tensions led to financial losses. Another challenge Chinese companies face in the U.S. market is barriers on immigration, which 42% of respondents cited as key area of concern for future growth. This has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has also contributed to an uncertain market environment. Companies almost unanimously (90%) said that their financial performance has been negatively impacted by COVID-19, of which 50% cite the impact to be severe.

Find the full report at https://www.cgccusa.org/en/cgcc-2020-annual-business-survey-report-chinese-enterprises-in-the-united-states/

However, despite these complex issues and the ongoing uncertainty, Chinese companies continue to be committed to the U.S. market, with 60% of those surveyed stating that their investments in America remains the same. They are also optimistic about the market recovery in the U.S., with more than half (55%) of those surveyed expecting the economy to rebound from COVID-19 within the next year.

Xu Chen, Chairman of the CGCC and President of Bank of China USA, commented, «As of March 2020, our Chinese member companies have invested over $123 billion in the U.S. economy, resulting in job creation and economic growth in the U.S. market.» He added, «Since the CGCC was founded 15 years ago, the organization has been striving to create opportunities in growing Chinese investments and facilitate Chinese brands in the U.S. As the uncertainty around U.S.-China relations and the COVID-19 outbreak continues, the CGCC stands ready to support both the business community and the two governments as they embark on the next phase of their relationship.»

Now in its seventh year, the survey assessed around 200 Chinese enterprises in the U.S., looking at impact of U.S.-China relations on business operations, their outlook on the U.S. market over the next two years and the anticipated difficulties.

CGCC will hold a panel featuring speakers from U.S.-China Business Council, American Chamber Commerce of China, Wanxiang American Corporation and Lennar International on August 12 at 2pm to discuss the findings in further detail.

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SOURCE China General Chamber of Commerce – USA

CHICAGO, Aug. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL), a division of Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC), is celebrating the completion of its new multipurpose center in Chicago’s Morgan Park neighborhood. BCBSIL today cut the ribbon on the 130,000 square foot space in Marshfield Plaza at 119^th Street and Marshfield Avenue. The site has been transformed from an abandoned retail store into a vast employee workspace coupled with a community-facing Blue Door Neighborhood Center^SM (BDNC).

«We believe in the power of community and how collective action will drive long-term meaningful change for our members and employees where they live and work,» said Maurice Smith, president and CEO of Health Care Service Corporation. «This center, and our ongoing collaboration with the Morgan Park community, is all about creating opportunities and making intentional investments in our local neighborhoods such as new jobs, supporting local businesses and increased access to health and wellness programming. It is our communities that make us stronger.»

Nearly 100 people are among the first wave of employees working at the Morgan Park site. Hiring is rolling out in a phased approach. This site will eventually house up to 550 employees in roles that help BCBSIL support members and network providers.  Hiring efforts have been focused around the Morgan Park area and almost 70 percent of new hires live within 10 miles of the center.

The Morgan Park location also features BCBSIL’s second Blue Door Neighborhood Center, which will focus on making a positive impact on the health of people beyond the walls of hospitals and physician offices. It’s a face-to-face, high-touch, hyper-local approach that represents a new way for BCBSIL to partner with the communities where we operate. The first BDNC opened in April 2019 in Pullman.

 «Our Blue Door Neighborhood Centers are destinations for people to learn, connect and focus on their whole person health – which includes tackling the physical, mental, environmental and social factors that can impact wellbeing,» said Steve Hamman, president of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois. «We partner with local organizations to create a neighborhood-level coalition working toward the common goal of making a positive impact on community health.»

«COVID-19 has forced us to come face to face with the disproportionate levels of poverty and inequality that far too many Chicagoans face,» said Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot. «However, thanks to companies and agencies like Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois and Health Care Service Corporation, we are able to put ourselves on the fast track to finding holistic, long-term solutions that end the cycle of suffering for our residents. This once-empty site will now give Morgan Park residents and surrounding communities long-overdue access to the quality health and wellness resources that they need to stay healthy during these uncertain times.» 

The Blue Door Neighborhood Centers offer no-cost programming such as low-impact fitness, educational classes on how to manage chronic health conditions, as well as information on how to best use health insurance. ⁱ

One of the new hires for Morgan Park’s BDNC is lifetime Morgan Park resident Aquea Wynn.

«I’m just so grateful right now – for those of us that live in the community, to be able to see a future giving back and working in the community that we live in,» said Aquea Wynn, health educator at the Blue Door Neighborhood Center. «Blue Cross planting themselves here in Morgan Park is a game changer and I am excited to start working to put my experience and knowledge into making Morgan Park a better place.»

BDNC locations are currently offering virtual programming due to COVID-19. Projected opening dates and web-based class offerings are available at bluedoorcenteril.com.

BCBSIL is furthering its footprint across Chicago neighborhoods. Later this fall, we’re opening a third Blue Door Neighborhood Center in South Lawndale’s Little Village neighborhood, at 2551 W. Cermak Road. And in 2021, we’ll be opening office space in the Mural Park development in Pilsen.

ⁱⁱWhile many resources are available, since health care providers are not located at Blue Door Neighborhood Centers, anyone experiencing an emergency or in need of urgent care, should call 911.

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SOURCE Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois

TROY, Mich., Aug. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — As the country prepares for a new twist on the school year, Goldfish Swim School, a leading premier learn-to-swim concept that centers on child development, has announced the launch of its ‘From Backstrokes to Back-to-School’ community school supply drive benefiting teachers nationwide. On average, teachers spend $500 out of their own pockets to help bring much needed school supplies into their classrooms – Goldfish Swim School is here to help. Throughout August and September, participating Goldfish Swim Schools are encouraging members and non-members alike to contribute to the school supply drive. Those who donate will be entered into a raffle to win various prizes from their local school such as free lessons, Jump Start Clinics, snacks, swag and more.

While the pandemic disrupted school schedules and routines, teachers rose to the occasion by flipping their curriculums to a virtual format while finding new ways to engage and educate their students. As a brand that understands and celebrates the importance of childhood development, Goldfish Swim School commends their work and has sought out a way to give back and show appreciation this back-to-school season. Participating locations will be collecting a full list of school supplies that will be sanitized and donated to local elementary schools. Please see below for a list of participating Goldfish Swim School drop-off locations. Be sure to contact your local school for details on contact-less drop-off dates.

• Goldfish Swim School – Lakewood Ranch, FL
• Goldfish Swim School – Glen Ellyn, IL
• Goldfish Swim School – St. Charles, IL
• Goldfish Swim School – Marlborough, MA
• Goldfish Swim School – Charlotte, NC
• Goldfish Swim School – Closter, NJ
• Goldfish Swim School – Wyckoff, NJ
• Goldfish Swim School – Edmond, OK
• Goldfish Swim School – Hudson, OH
• Goldfish Swim School – Richmond, VA
• Goldfish Swim School – Fitchburg, WI

«We understand first-hand how challenging it has been to navigate the pandemic while continuing to educate children through our swims lessons and programs that help to build life skills both in and out of the water,» said Chris McCuiston, CEO and co-founder of Goldfish Swim School. «Teachers have so much on their plates right now as they prepare to safely reopen their classrooms this fall, the last thing they should have to worry about is paying out of their own pockets for classroom school supplies. Our community has been such a tremendous support to us throughout these trying times, this is just another small way we can all rallying together, united on the importance of child enrichment, as we aim to make a positive impact this back-to-school season.» 

There are many parallels between swim lessons and learning in the classroom – understanding patience, following directions, comprehension, teamwork and building friendships. As the world begins to dip its toes into the new normal and safely return to daily routines, Goldfish Swim School remains committed to educating children and families on the importance of water safety while building life skills. For schools returning via distance or virtual learning, Goldfish Swim School has created a series of at-home activities, rolled out ‘Goldfish At Home‘ – free, virtual swim-inspired exercise videos that could serve as P.E. credit, and converted its in-person W.A.T.E.R. Safety Presentations to an online platform that teachers are encouraged to pursue for their classes – all allowing the opportunity for learning to continue at home.

As Goldfish Swim School has reopened its 100+ locations through its Safer. Stronger. Together. ™ initiative, the safety and wellbeing of students, guests and team members remains the top priority. While the brand has always taken great pride in the cleanliness and safety of its schools, each individually owned and operated facility has been working closely with their local health authorities and in accordance with Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines on reopening plans to ensure the safest environment possible. While protocol varies school-to-school, notable adjustments have been made to class sizes, sanitization procedures and school policies to ensure social distancing and to abide by local health department regulations. Families can enroll their children, ages four months to 12 years, in a wide range of swim lesson and water safety instruction that utilizes the brand’s proprietary curriculum, The Science of SwimPlay®, a play-based learning philosophy conducted in a fun and safe environment.

For more information on Goldfish Swim School, please visit https://www.goldfishswimschool.com/.

About Goldfish Swim School 
Founded by husband and wife team Chris and Jenny McCuiston, Goldfish Swim School provides swim lessons and water safety instruction to infants and children ages four months to 12 years. Classes are offered by specially trained instructors in a safe, child-friendly and fun environment using their research-based philosophy called The Science of SwimPlay®. Headquartered in Troy, Michigan, Goldfish Swim School was established in Birmingham, Michigan in 2006, and opened its first franchise location in 2009. Recently, the brand was recognized by Entrepreneur in its Franchise 500® ranking, Franchise Times’ 2020 Fast & Serious List, and Inc. Magazine’s 2019 Top 5000. Goldfish Swim School is currently in the process of expanding franchise opportunities throughout North America, with more than 100 schools open, and an additional 100+ in development in more than 34 states and Canada.

Media Contact: Kelly McNamara, Fishman PR, 847-945-1300, KMcNamara@fishmanpr.com 

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SOURCE Goldfish Swim School