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Boys & Girls Clubs of America Sets New Record - Opening 4,000th Club

Posted on: Thursday, 7 December 2006, 18:01 CST

ATLANTA, Dec. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Highlighting its Centennial Year, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) today dedicated its 4000th Boys & Girls Club in Houston, Texas. The new Club -- The NFL Youth Education Town Boys & Girls Club at James Driver Park -- will serve hundreds of at-risk youth in Houston. Boys & Girls Clubs of America (http://www.bgca.org/), the nation's #1 youth organization, was founded in 1906 and now serves millions of youth in the U.S. and on military bases worldwide.

Known as "The Positive Place for Kids," the Clubs provide guidance- oriented character development programs on a daily basis for children, conducted by a full-time professional staff. Key Boys & Girls Club programs emphasize character and leadership development, education and career development, health and life skills, the arts, sports, fitness and recreation.

"Boys & Girls Clubs, like this new one in Houston, offer hope and opportunity to millions of young people who would otherwise never have a chance to graduate high school, get a job, or be successful in life," says Roxanne Spillett, president, Boys & Girls Clubs of America. "Many Boys & Girls Club alumni credit the organization with literally saving their lives."

The positive impact Boys & Girls Clubs make on the young people they serve focuses on providing a safe positive environment, where they can have fun while interacting with caring concerned adults - affording them meaningful opportunities to excel, and most importantly recognizing them for their achievement.

In the last 10 years, BGCA has experienced phenomenal growth. With the opening of the 4000th Club, BGCA now serves some five million at-risk youth ages 6 - 18. Over the last 100 years, BGCA has helped more than 30 million at-risk youth realize their potential.

The 4000th Club is one of two Youth Education Town Clubs (YET) in Houston built through a partnership between BGCA and the National Football League (NFL). The mission of the YET movement is to positively enhance educational opportunities for at-risk children. The NFL accomplishes this goal by providing funds and assistance to establish or supplement existing after- school facilities and services, including tutoring, mentoring, career training, computer education and access to sports programs.

Many of today's NFL stars are former Boys & Girls Clubs members, including Steve Young, whose Forever Young Foundation funded the state-of-the-art technology center at this new Club.

The Gap Between Hope and Opportunity

BGCA has used its Centennial to review the state of America's young people and address their needs. The organization challenged teen members to survey their peers to determine their opinions about timely topics, including teen violence, the escalating dropout rate and racism.

The result, The Youth Report to America (YRTA), sponsored by AMEX, is one of the largest surveys of teens by teens (46,000). The basic consensus: there is a growing gap between hope and opportunity among America's young people.

* Teens want an education, but many don't believe they will have a chance to get one. * Youth would like to see more jobs made available for young people, yet they have a different idea about what constitutes the "American Dream." * Teens want a less violent world, yet many feel violence is necessary to defend themselves in their daily lives. * Drugs and alcohol are the number one problem facing teens today. * Young people want their leaders to be truthful. Innovative Programs Guide BGCA into the Next Century

From its birth in 1906, BGCA has always changed with the times, adding new and relevant programs. That commitment means the creation of new and innovative programs that reflect changes in society. Earlier this year, Newsweek magazine presented BGCA with one of only 15 Giving Back Awards -- recognizing the organization for staying relevant by addressing the changing needs of at-risk youth.

"Boys & Girls Clubs of America is committed to meeting the needs of at- risk youth ... not just today but for the next 100 years," says Spillett.

New programs include technology initiatives that educate kids how to be safe online from sexual predators, diversity education efforts that teach the importance of tolerance in our multi-racial society, financial literacy training and career exploration programs.

As the U.S. tops 300 million people, with a huge projected growth in the Latino population, BGCA has created new programs in response. The organization's Latino Outreach Initiative is providing new services specifically for Latino members and families.

"We are so honored to serve as the hosting site for the 4000th Club grand opening. It gives us another great opportunity to serve and impact more youth," said John Havard, president & CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston.

Alumni Success Stories

Many famous Americans got their start at a Boys & Girls Clubs and credit it with giving their lives direction and purpose. Alumni include Denzel Washington, CNN's Bernie Shaw, Michael Jordan, Olympian Brooke Bennett, President Bill Clinton, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Ruben Studdard, American Idol, Martin Sheen, Neil Diamond, Jennifer Lopez, John Antioco, Chairman/CEO of Blockbuster, Kerri Washington, actress and many others.

By the Numbers * 1906: BGCA founded as Boys Clubs of America * 1990: Boys Clubs becomes Boys & Girls Clubs of America * 1995: 2.5 million youth served annually * 1995: $362,000,000 total revenues (BGCA + local affiliates) * 1999: 2000th Club opens * 2001: 3000th Club opens * 2005: $1.3 billion total revenues (BGCA + local affiliates) * 2006: Centennial, 4000th Club opens, 5-million youth served annually * 1906 - 2006: 30 million youth served * The Chronicle of Philanthropy has ranked BGCA as the #1 youth nonprofit for 12 consecutive years.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050921/CLW030LOGOAP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com

Boys & Girls Clubs of America

CONTACT: Mitch Leff of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, +1-404-861-4769,or mitch@leffassociates.com

Web site: http://www.bgca.org/

Source: PRNewswire

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