AbbVie is joining forces with leading organizations such as Points of Light, North Chicago Community Partners, The Heart of America Foundation and KaBOOM!, among others, to plan and implement Week of Possibilities community service projects worldwide.

This year's program will include hands-on service projects in more than 50 countries, focused primarily on improving education and literacy for children in need by transforming schools, libraries and other learning spaces.

"Week of Possibilities unites AbbVie employees around the world in an effort to give back to our local communities, with a special focus on building strong education systems," said Tracie Haas, vice president of corporate responsibility, brand and communications for AbbVie. "We're delighted and privileged to partner with leading national and international organizations to help local nonprofit partners tackle our communities' toughest challenges."

AbbVie launched Week of Possibilities in 2014, with most projects taking place in North Chicago, Illinois, where the company is based. The company expanded its commitment in 2015, when employees in 45 countries donated more than 17,000 service hours to nonprofit organizations benefitting their local communities.

The initiative continues to grow, and in 2016, AbbVie and the AbbVie Foundation are supporting Week of Possibilities projects taking place around the world, with AbbVie employee volunteers doing the work.

"We're thrilled to be part of the Week of Possibilities for the third consecutive year," said Jennifer Grumhaus, executive director, North Chicago Community Partners. "The support of the AbbVie Foundation and AbbVie volunteers through this program is invaluable as we work towards our organization's goal of expanding education opportunities to students in the community."

Some of the service projects include:

• In Lake County, Illinois, where AbbVie is based, volunteers will transform learning, athletic and play spaces at six schools across North Chicago and Waukegan. Other teams will renovate housing for veterans and celebrate with them as they receive keys to their new homes; partner with Kohl Children's Museum to bring the museum experience to kids with otherwise limited access, and provide a day-long Science Adventure program to approximately 150 kindergarten through 5th grade summer school students in North Chicago.
• In Menlo Park and San Jose, California, and Worcester, Massachusetts, AbbVie volunteers will refurbish three under-resourced school libraries by improving designs and layouts; providing new furniture, technology and library books; and providing books for students to take home.
• In more than 50 other countries around the world, AbbVie volunteers will revitalize schools, teach science to children, serve meals at soup kitchens, spend an afternoon helping refugee families adjust to local culture and much more.

"Our work with AbbVie on Week of Possibilities helps to give children from underserved populations a better chance at achieving their dreams and improving their communities," said Angie Halamandaris, president and co-founder of The Heart of America Foundation. "We believe our volunteer work during Week of Possibilities can make a real difference – on the children of today and on the communities of tomorrow."

"We are proud to be partnering with the AbbVie Foundation on this global service campaign," said Delores Morton, president of programs for Points of Light. "Volunteers have the power to change the world, and Week of Possibilities demonstrates how nonprofits and the private sector can work together to empower that change."

About AbbVie
AbbVie is a global, research-based biopharmaceutical company formed in 2013 following separation from Abbott Laboratories. The company's mission is to use its expertise, dedicated people and unique approach to innovation to develop and market advanced therapies that address some of the world's most complex and serious diseases. Together with its wholly-owned subsidiary, Pharmacyclics, AbbVie employs more than 28,000 people worldwide and markets medicines in more than 170 countries. For further information on the company and its people, portfolio and commitments, please visit www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on Twitter or view careers on our Facebook or LinkedIn page.

About The AbbVie Foundation
The AbbVie Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) foundation, is dedicated to having a remarkable impact on the lives of the underserved around the world through a commitment to building strong communities, sustainable health care systems and effective educational programs. For more information please visit www.abbviefoundation.org.

About North Chicago Community Partners
North Chicago Community Partners (NCCP) was created in 2008 to address the needs and challenges within North Chicago, a poverty-stricken area with a failing school district. The NCCP model of the "community school" is designed to deliver quality education to students, while engaging and enriching students' lives. NCCP acts as a service support for the entire school community by providing high quality programs. NCCP is determined to engage families so that parents are involved in their child's education. NCCP actively recruits and involves community partners and volunteers to help in their mission to transform the North Chicago School District.

About Points of Light
Points of Light – the world's largest organization dedicated to volunteer service – mobilizes millions of people to take action that is changing the world. Through affiliates in 250 cities and 36 countries, and partnerships with thousands of nonprofits and corporations, Points of Light engages more than 4 million volunteers in 30 million hours of service each year – we put people at the center of change. For more information, go to www.pointsoflight.org.

About The Heart of America Foundation® 
The Heart of America Foundation®, a national nonprofit headquartered in Washington, DC, creates vibrant learning environments for children, engaging volunteers in acts of service and encouraging the pursuit of education by providing children in need with the tools to read, succeed and make a difference. Through programs including READesign®, The Heart of America Foundation® revitalizes education spaces in under-resourced communities into vital and vibrant centers of learning that become the heart of a school. Since 1997, The Heart of America Foundation® has transformed more than 330 educational spaces and provided over 1 million children living in poverty with over 4 million library and take-home books. And, the organization has engaged volunteers in more than 1,075,000 hours of service to communities nationwide. For more information, please visit www.heartofamerica.org.

About KaBOOM!
KaBOOM! is the national non-profit dedicated to giving all kids – particularly those growing up in poverty in America – the childhood they deserve filled with balanced and active play, so they can thrive. Since 1996, KaBOOM! has collaborated with partners to build, open or improve nearly 16,300 playgrounds, engaged more than one million volunteers and served 8.1 million kids. KaBOOM! creates great places to play, inspires communities to promote and support play, and works to drive the national discussion about the importance of play in fostering healthy and productive lives. To learn why #playmatters and why cities are embracing #playability: visit kaboom.org or join the conversation at twitter.com/kaboom or facebook.com/kaboom.

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/abbvie-teams-up-with-leading-nonprofit-organizations-to-give-back-to-underserved-local-communities-300286953.html

SOURCE AbbVie