Pacific Autism Family Foundation Receives $150,000 Donation From Scotiabank for Its Hub and Spoke Modeled Centre

VANCOUVER, BC --(Marketwired - August 14, 2015) - The Pacific Autism Family Foundation today announced that Scotiabank made a $150,000 donation toward its new "Hub and Spoke" Modeled Centre that will be located in Richmond, BC.

"We are delighted to be receiving this funding from Scotiabank," says Pacific Autism Family Foundation Co-Founder Wendy Lisogar-Cocchia. "We are especially excited to announce that this funding will be directed toward our Autism Navigator Network. Navigators will play an integral part in providing the coordination of support and information about autism-related assessment, diagnosis, treatment, training, and evidence-based practices to families and professionals. Our dream of providing a one-stop shop for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder would have never become a reality without our government, community and corporate partners such as Scotiabank. Sergio and I and the entire autism community offer our sincerest gratitude."

Scotiabank made the donation through its global philanthropic program, which supports causes at the grassroots level.

"Scotiabank is proud to support the Pacific Autism Family Foundation so that they can provide much needed assistance to those in the local autism community," said Winnie Leong, Senior Vice President, BC & Yukon Region at Scotiabank. "We believe in the importance of helping build stronger communities. We hope that through this donation we will make a positive impact on the lives of families affected by autism."

About Pacific Autism Family Foundation
With Pacific Autism Family Foundation, we are creating a hub and spoke network where children and families facing the challenges of autism can access information, treatment, research and support. GoodLife Fitness recently committed $5 million and is the naming donor of the hub. The GoodLife Fitness Family Autism Hub and Pacific Autism Family Foundation will serve Autism and related disorders, including developmental disabilities, and learning challenges. It will also provide lifespan support; Autism affects 1 in 68 children, and 1 in 42 boys. With 69,000 people on Autism spectrum living in BC, and 80 children diagnosed every month in the province, this is a much-needed initiative for BC families. The project will focus on serving families across BC with a navigator program and collaboration with other organizations.

About Scotiabank
Through our global philanthropic program, Scotiabank and its employees support causes at a grassroots level. Recognized as a leader for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, Scotiabank has contributed on average $50 million annually over the last five years to community causes around the world.

Scotiabank is Canada's international bank and a leading financial services provider in North America, Latin America, the Caribbean and Central America, and parts of Asia. We are dedicated to helping our 21 million customers become better off through a broad range of advice, products and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and investment banking, and capital markets. With a team of more than 86,000 employees and assets of $837 billion (as at April 30, 2015), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto BNS and New York Exchanges BNS. Scotiabank distributes the Bank's media releases using Marketwired. For more information, please visit www.scotiabank.com and follow us on Twitter @ScotiabankNews.


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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Contact Information:
Pacific Autism Family Foundation
Rita Thodos
604-697-5324
rita@pacificautismfamily.com
www.pacificautismfamily.com

Scotiabank
Grace Kim
778-668-2995
gracej.kim@scotiabank.com