2004 News Releases

Boston– Families First Parenting Programs today announced that Manulife USA has donated $150,000 to support and promote healthy family relationships through a comprehensive sponsorship campaign. The three-year sponsorship will help subsidize parenting programs for low-income parents in Massachusetts, support Families First’s fundraising efforts, and provide Families First with Manulife USA employee volunteers.

“We are thrilled to receive such a generous donation from Manulife, especially as it will allow more Boston-area families to participate in Families First Parenting Programs,” said Crista Martinez, Families First’s Executive Director. “Together, Manulife and Families First can work in the community to strengthen those critical connections between parents and their children.”

As part of its sponsorship package, Manulife USA will help subsidize parenting programs for homeless and low-income parents in communities such as South Boston and Dorchester throughout each of the three years of sponsorship. Each month, seminars on topics such asPositive Approaches to Discipline, Helping Children Succeed in School, andDeveloping a Network of Support as a Single Parentwill be given to provide resources and practical tools to parents along with encouragement and support. Manulife USA has also made a commitment to provide Families First with volunteer support over this three-year period.

“As part of our commitment to enhancing the lives of children and strengthening neighborhoods, Manulife USA is enthusiastic about our sponsorship of Families First Parenting Programs,” said John D. DesPrez III, Chairman & President, Manulife USA. “Because parents play such a crucial role in shaping children’s lives, we are pleased to support Families First as they provide parents with the skills and confidence to sustain positive, satisfying, and healthy relationships with their children.”

About Families First
Founded in 1988 by Wheelock College and The Children’s Museum in Boston, Families First helps parents build positive, rewarding, and satisfying relationships with their children. Each year, Families First aids more than 5,000 parents from all life circumstances in helping their children grow into healthy, productive, and caring members of their communities. Half of all Families First programs serve low-income parents who also may be homeless, unemployed, single, and/or at-risk. Families First also trains professionals to enhance their capacity to support today’s families.

About Manulife
The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.) (Manulife USA) is committed to offering the highest quality life insurance, pension, and individual wealth management products to its clients. Its family of products has been built around a powerful combination of investment options chosen with the goal of providing attractive risk-adjusted returns and broad diversification across asset classes, investment styles, and asset managers. With its extensive product lines, competitive underwriting, excellent ratings, and quality customer service, Manulife USA is dedicated to providing quality products designed to help create and preserve wealth for its clients.

Manulife Financial is a leading Canadian-based financial services group operating in 15 countries and territories worldwide. Through its extensive network of employees, agents and distribution partners, Manulife Financial offers clients a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services. Funds under management by Manulife Financial were US$121.2 billion (Cdn$156.7 billion) as at December 31, 2003.

Manulife Financial Corporation trades as ‘MFC’ on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under ‘0945’ on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at www.manulife.com.

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