North Miami Beach, FL – April 1, 2009 – The PanZOu Project, Inc. has been selected as the Whole Foods Market of Aventura’s 5%Day charity.  The local grocery chain has committed to donating 5% of its net sales earned on April 7^th to the non-profit organization. Customers are able to help this worthwhile nonprofit by simply shopping on April 7^th at the store located at 21105 Biscayne Blvd., Aventura, Fl 33180, and know that 5% of their total bill will be donated to PanZOu Project on this designated day.

The PanZOu Project, Inc. began in 2004, as a response to increasing crime that included frequent drive-by shootings between newly forming, violent Haitian gangs in the City of North Miami Beach.  Today, as a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, it works with the highest risk youths, young adults, and their families in an expanding area of northeast Miami-Dade County.  This unique organization specializes in targeting gang-involved individuals and those at high-risk for gang involvement, and believes that all youth have the ability to succeed, if provided with the right tools and support when they need it.

An analysis of crime in PanZOu Project’s targeted neighborhood showed a 22% reduction in person, property, and drug related offenses after 2-years of providing services to these residents compared to 2-years prior.  Although PanZOu Project Outreach Specialists work with violent, chronic adult/juvenile offenders, only 12% of PanZOu’s clients offend or re-offend while involved with PanZOu’s services.

“We are honored to be chosen by Whole Foods Market as their charity for the month of April 2009,” said Ms. Laura Kallus, Executive Director.  “I can assure you that all donated funds will go toward providing free, comprehensive services for our clients, so they may get on with being regular, taxpaying citizens in our community.”