GRAVETTE -- Boys & Girls Club of Western Benton County last week announced the launch of the Great Futures Campaign to mobilize the community in support of kids and empower today's youth to achieve great futures.
The local Club is joining Boys & Girls Clubs nationwide to redefine the opportunity equation for kids by elevating the critical role out-of-school time plays in a child's development. Through the Great Futures Campaign, the organization seeks to ensure that every child and teen has access to a safe place after school and during the summer where they can build the knowledge, skills and behaviors to put them on the path for success.
Every day, 15 million kids nationwide (one out of four) leave school with no place to go, putting them at risk of being unsupervised, unguided and unsafe. During the summer, an alarming 43 million (three out of four) kids in America lack access to summer learning programs, increasing their risk of learning loss and putting them at a disadvantage before the school year starts. The way children spend their time after school and during the summer can significantly impact the path they take.
"When the nation prepares to go back to school this fall, Boys & Girls Club of Western Benton County wants to ensure out-of-school is part of the conversation. We're taking a leadership role with the Great Futures Campaign to elevate the impact of out-of-school time, a critical, yet often overlooked, part of their day," said Kyle Scogin. "When school is out, no child should go unsafe or unguided. Through the Campaign, we are advocating on behalf of kids and convening public, private and nonprofit partners around our goal of ensuring all kids have access to a safe, engaging and productive place to go between school and home."
A response to the crises facing America's kids, the campaign is focused on reversing the most negative trends facing youth and the country:
• Today's generation is estimated to be worse off than their parents, the first in America's history;
• Our nation's graduation rate ranks 22nd among 28 countries;
• Three out of 10 kids are obese or overweight;
• One in five American kids live in poverty.
Nationally, the issues have economic implications, costing as much as $209 billion in lost taxes and higher government expenditures over the lifetimes of those who fail to graduate. Healthcare costs to treat health issues related to childhood obesity are $14.1 billion annually, and states spend an average of $7.1 million a day locking youth up in juvenile justice facilities.
"Boys & Girls Club of Western Benton County has been serving the community with after school and summer programs for almost 20 years. During that time, we've seen the positive impact that occurs when young people have access to a safe place with caring adult mentors and enriching programs during out-of-school time," said Kyle Scogin. "We want today's generation to be successful in school and in adulthood, to be healthy and active and to develop strong character skills they need to become future leaders for our country."
Boys & Girls Clubs reach kids most in need with outcome-driven programs designed to increase their performance in the areas of education, health and character development. Research shows that when kids attend the Club more frequently, the impact grows, so Clubs create a fun and engaging environment that keeps kids coming back. Goals for the Campaign include:
• Increase membership and access to Clubs for kids who need a safe place to go after school and during the summer;
• Ensure successful transitions to middle and high school, and foster college- or career-readiness with 21st century skills;
• Motivate kids to be healthy through nutrition and health education, more access to healthy foods, avoidance of risky behaviors and a lifelong commitment to fitness;
• Engage youth in taking action in their community and the world, promote resilience, build character strength and develop the next generation of America's leaders.
Boys & Girls Club of Western Benton County is asking the public to help the organization reach more kids and put them on the path to a great future.
For more information about the Great Futures Campaign or about the Boys & Girls Club of Western Benton County, visit www.bgcwbc.org, www.facebook.com/bgcwbc, or greatfutures.org.
General News on 08/06/2014