SM Prime Holdings was recently awarded the 2011 Asia Community Award by the International Council for Shopping Centers Foundation for its Breaking the Poverty Chain campaign during the recent ICSC Recon Asia conference in Shanghai, China, a press release from the firm said.

The ICSC Foundation also awarded the John Riodan Professional Education Scholarship to Chivas Allejo of the SM Supermalls Leasing Division. SM Prime received two citations for the Asia Pacific Shopping Center Awards for two marketing programs: for My City, My SM in the Public Relations category and for Global Pinoy in the Cause Related category, the press release said.

The Breaking the Poverty Chain campaign, which was held in time for the 25th Anniversary of SM City North EDSA, SM Prime’s first mall, was a partnership with Gawad Kalinga to build 25 homes for poverty stricken families.

Volunteers and employees of SM City North EDSA mobilized to create a community that would change the quality of life for the 25 families, and at the same time boost the demographics of the area.

SM Prime Holdings president Hans Sy conducted a ceremony where each family received their new home. Hans also decided to extend his initial campaign and create an entire SM GK Village to benefit over 100 families, the press release said.

The campaign not only impacted the families who have received homes, but also allowed the community to flourish. Once a slum area, it has since been converted into a successful, fully functioning community, the press release said.

As the winner of the ICSC Foundation’s Community Support Award, SM Prime’s North EDSA mall will receive a $5,000 donation to support their philanthropic cause.

SM City North EDSA will also be eligible for the ICSC Foundation’s 2011 Albert Sussman International Community Support Award, which honors the best community support program worldwide.

Established in 2006, the ICSC Foundation’s Community Support Awards is a worldwide awards program that honors corporate social responsibility and community efforts of shopping centers for charitable initiatives that enhance the communities the retail real estate industry serves, the press release also said.*