FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 25, 2007 Contact: Terrence Stevens, T: 917 939 5349, E: [email protected] Saigon, Atlantic Records Critically Acclaimed Rap Sensation & Remy Martin Supports Non Profit Organization In Arms Reach, Inc. /Abandoned Nation For At Risk Youths Tonight in the U.S. 2.5 million children will go to bed denied access to their parents because that parent is behind bars Saving Lives for Children of Incarcerated Parents New York, NY - Remy Martin is working with Atlantic Records Rapper Saigon and nine other hip-hop artists across the country in a national celebration of hip-hop music, kicking off Black Music Month (June) and running through the summer. Saigon, under Hip Hop Since 1978 and Just Blaze Fort Knocks production identified In Arms Reach Inc. (a non-profit art, music, prison visitation and educational mentoring organization that services youth whose parents are or were formerly offenders of the criminal justice system) as the organization he would like to support. As part of the sponsorship program, with In Arms Reach as Remy’s New York charity, on June 22, 2007 Saigon and Remy Martin Brand Manager presented a check for $10,000.00 to Program Founder Terrence “T-Wheels” Stevens to help support their continued work on behalf of youth with imprisoned parents. While at “In Arms Reach,” Atlantic Records Rapper Saigon participated in an open group discussion with 15-20 constituents aged 14 to 17. Sophie Davis Pre-med students who serve as tutors and mentors for the organization were on hand. Media outreach around Saigon will focus on In Arms Reach, Inc. charity visit and driving traffic to the getinteresting.com web site. A GCI photographer was on-hand to take pictures which is available to be serviced to media. The organization is headquartered at The City College University of New York. Harlem Native & Program Founder, Terrence “T-Wheels” Stevens is wheelchair confined, virtually paralyzed from the neck down. “The brother is a mental power house rolling around on 4 wheels, and doing more good in the community than half the brothers out there with all their physical limbs, says Saigon.” “I admire T-Wheels and as my record career take off, so will this program.” Rapper Saigon and T-Wheels set out to fight a serious mission. That mission is saving the lives of youth who have loss their mothers and fathers to incarceration. Children of incarcerated parents face some of life's hardest challenges, including poverty, limited opportunities for a good education, and a future that seem to hold little to no promise. The program addresses social problems in urban communities and the break up of families caught up in this cycle. With little to no support they provide children of incarcerated parents with the love, guidance and mechanism for healing they so desperately need. In 2002, T-Wheels began picking up children in a handicapped accessible van to keep the kids off the street. He later landed weekend program space with a friend at a local community center. As the number of kids increased, he fund raised to purchase a 15 passenger van. He scheduled field trips to recording sessions in NYC at Sony Recording Studio, took children to amusement parks and youth to celebrity functions. Program space was obtained in the historic gothic quadrangle of The City College University of New York. T-Wheels is now President & Chief Executive Officer of In Arms Reach Inc., Parents Behind Bars: Children in Crisis. His unique program model empowers children by giving them mentoring, positive role models and academic assistance. The program addresses root causes of crime, low self-esteem and emotionally functionality via providing on site one-on-one and group counseling sessions. As result of his dedication, In Arms Reach, Inc. has provided 3,450 hours of tutoring services, 368 after school mentoring sessions, and over 37 free transportation trips to upstate prison facilities for children to visit and be reunited with their incarcerated parents. If you know of any children impacted by parental incarceration who can benefit from this program, or are interested in sponsoring or pledging a donation to help keep programs and services open, please contact In Arms Reach, Inc. Donors Dept. Mr. Frank Lewis at, 212.650.5894 or email: [email protected] Web site: www.mysace/inarmsreachab, www.abdonednation.com