RALEIGH, NC, (January 20, 2011) ––Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE) is receiving a
$100,000 grant from The Allstate Foundation to assist SAVE chapters in California to increase youth safety
and promote teen safe driving. The grant will support SAVE programming in schools and community
agencies, specifically teen safe driving awareness campaigns will be conducted throughout the year.
The Sacramento Job Corps SAVE Chapter wants to educate students about the hazards of texting and
cell phone use while driving. Activities planned include a campaign week, assembly and rally.
With support from Allstate exclusive agents and volunteers, SAVE will demonstrate its chapter leadership
in schools and communities by ensuring that students are encouraged to participate and engage in these
educational activities enhancing teen safe driving and youth safety. There are 89 SAVE Chapters
throughout California.
SAVE is a peer-to-peer organization that focuses on the power of positive peer influences. According to
a recent Allstate Foundation survey, Shifting Teen Attitudes: The State of Teen Driving 2009, peers are a
major influence on teens – both positive and negative. Some of the concerning statistics that SAVE
chapters will address include:
 Eighty-two percent of teens reported using cell phones while driving.
 Nearly half (48 percent) of girls admit they are likely to speed more than 10 mph over the limit,
versus 36 percent of boys.
 Seventy-seven percent of teens admit they have felt unsafe with another teen’s driving.
“This generous grant from The Allstate Foundation will assist students in finding real solutions to the
issues of teen safe driving that they face each day,” stated SAVE’s executive director, Carleen Wray.
“By empowering teens to become smart driving activists in their schools and communities, we hope to
reverse the staggering statistics,” said Bill Mellander, Allstate Corporate Relations Manager in California.
“Through The Allstate Foundation, we seek to develop innovative, teen-focused approaches to raise
awareness of the issue and, ultimately, to help save lives and reduce injuries.”
Previous assistance from The Allstate Foundation has benefited SAVE schools in North Carolina, South
Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Illinois, Nevada, Michigan, Minnesota, Texas, Oklahoma,
Utah, Wisconsin, California, Colorado, and Ohio.
About the National Association of Students Against Violence Everywhere:
SAVE started at West Charlotte High School in Charlotte, N.C. in 1989 following the tragic death of a
student who was trying to break up a fight at an off-campus party. Students met first to console each
other, then as an organization to promote violence prevention and to work together to prevent future
incidents from occurring. SAVE provides education about the effects and consequences of violence and
helps provide safe activities for students, parents and communities. For more information on SAVE or
starting a SAVE chapter, visit www.nationalsave.org, or contact SAVE at (866) 343-SAVE to receive free
start-up materials and guidance.
About The Allstate Foundation:
Established in 1952, The Allstate Foundation is an independent, charitable organization made possible by
subsidiaries of The Allstate Corporation. The Allstate Foundation partners with non-profit organizations on
community initiatives that promote “safe and vital communities,” “tolerance, inclusion, and diversity” and
“economic empowerment.” Teen driving and empowering victims of domestic violence have been major
initiatives for the Foundation since 2005. For more information visit www.ProtectTeenDrivers.com.