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Best Buy Children’s Foundation Awards $2,500 Grant to Boys & Girls Clubs of
“Recent studies show that over 14 million children in the Best Buy Children’s Foundation is a proud supporter of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Club Tech program. Through Club Tech, Clubs across the country are provided with the tools to give members computer skills; introduce them to digital movie making, photography and web design. For further information about Club Tech, visit www.bgca.org/clubtech. About The Best Buy Children’s Foundation The Best Buy Children’s Foundation, established in 1994, supports and strengthens communities by contributing to a variety of organizations and programs that foster engaged, fun learning experiences for children through the use of interactive technology. The Foundation provides grants to existing and emerging national programs that creatively use interactive technology to make learning a fun and engaging experience for children. The Foundation is a nonprofit corporation organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational, literary or scientific purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and Section 290.05 of the Minn. Stat. Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE: BBY), the primary contributor to the Foundation, is a multinational retailer of technology and entertainment products and services. Best Buy Co., Inc. donates up to 1.5 percent of its annual pretax earnings to the communities in which it does business. For more information about the Foundation, visit www.bbycommunications.com/crnew/our_foundation.asp. Boys and Girls Club of Northeast Regional Recipient of Prestigious Family Strengthening Award
In presenting this annual award, BGCA and the Foundation hope to encourage Boys & Girls Club organizations to take the lead in working collaboratively with community agencies to ensure that all families have opportunities, networks and help to realize their aspirations for their children. “BGCA and the Annie E. Casey Foundation recognize that effective family development programs, particularly in economically challenged communities, requires collaboration centered on the concept that children do well when families do well, and families do better when they live in supportive communities,” states Yvonne Lopez, BGCPA’s Board Chairperson. The core elements of BGCPA’s Family PLUS program are: (1) Parent-to-Parent Supports – dedicate Club space to function as ‘parent lounges’ where our families can come together on a regular basis to interact; (2) Access to Information – resource libraries at the Clubs that contain a myriad of information and family resources; (3) Developing Parenting Skills – parent support groups that meet regularly to address a variety of topics related to parenting skills, home management, and overall coping and life skills, including effective methods in addressing problematic behavior and detection of potential developmental or behavioral disorders; and (4) Access to Economic Opportunity – specific services and activities to achieve social and economic progress, including GED prep courses; ESL classes; basic skills and literacy development; job readiness and retention training; and financial literacy/financial counseling. “Family PLUS is a family support program within our Clubs that offer parents with a consistent system of supports and access to educational and economic opportunities,” states Cruz. “The overall approach of BGCA and the Anne E. Casey Foundation is family-centered and founded on the belief that a child’s developmental needs are best met when the needs of the family as a whole are addressed,” states Lopez. “This award will help us improve our capacity to work with our parents and caregivers to support and enhance their role as the key decision-makers in the child’s life.” To learn more about Family PLUS, visit http://familyplus.bgca.org/. For further information, please contact Jorge Cruz at 732-324-2114, ext. 122.
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BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF (PERTH AMBOY, NJ) November 19, 2008 – Boys & Girls Club of Perth Amboy has received Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s (BGCA) Regional Vision for Unity Award. Funded by The Allstate Foundation as part of its ongoing commitment to support diversity education and encourage tolerance and inclusion, the $3,000 award recognizes one local Boys & Girls Club organization in each of five regions for successfully promoting inclusion. Clubs do so by identifying the processes and enhancements in place at the Club that encourage a truly diverse workplace.
“It is a true honor for us to receive the Vision for Unity Award,” said Jorge Cruz, Boys & Girls Clubs of Perth Amboy (BGCPA). “Recognition from among our peers in the Boys & Girls Clubs movement is very rewarding. It drives us to reaffirm our commitment to diversity and inclusion in all aspects of our operations. Inclusion goes to the very heart of our work with the young people we serve.”
From the overall organizational philosophy to policy and practice, BGCPA’s commitment to diversity has affected all aspects of its operations and programming. Through the "Diversity Club", BGCPA integrates learning activities that offer a mosaic of the contributions of all ethnicities, races and cultures. It is an inclusionary-based set of learning activities that challenge youth to critically think, question and explore. Material presented from several points of view with the hope that youth develop an appreciation and a mutual respect for all races, national origins, sexual orientation, gender, religion and socio-economic status.
“Central to the mission of BGCPA is the belief that everyone can make a contribution to the betterment of society and that individuals working together can make a significant difference”, states Yvonne Lopez, Chairperson of BGCPA’s Board of Directors. “The overall scope of our program and service delivery design and systems have been customized to address the cultural and linguistic factors associated with the youth and familes we serve.” The core elements of BGCPA’s commitment to a culturally competent service delivery system are: (1) Communication – for children and parents who primarily speak in their native tongue, from the initial enrollment to follow-up correspondence, BGCPA facilitates full communication and protocol in their native language, inclusive of our enrollment forms, program materials and all correspondence; (2) Diverse Personnel – the most vital aspect of our commitment to culturally competent care is to ensure that we employ an adequate level of personnel who are bilingual and/or bicultural. Nearly 50% of our personnel is fluent in Spanish and another non-English language; and (3) Professional Development – BGCPA organizes a regular schedule of mandatory, in-service training for all staff with respect to culturally competent care. The Vision for Unity Award focuses on incorporating diversity into existing programs, activities and organizational structure to maximize a positive cumulative effect on Club members as well as the community. In addition to the $3,000 grant, BGCPA will become a part of Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s “Best Practices” guide, which provides real-life examples, serving as “models” suitable for replication by other Clubs.
Competition for the award is open to all Boys & Girls Club organizations in good standing, regardless of size. “We are very excited to support the Vision for Unity Award,” said Corinne Graper of the Allstate Foundation. “The Allstate Foundation and BGCA believe that in order for diversity to succeed in each local Boys & Girls Club, staff members must set an example for the youth that they interact with on a daily basis.” Boys & Girls Clubs of
About The Allstate Foundation
Established in 1952, The Allstate Foundation is an independent, charitable organization made possible by the subsidiaries of The Allstate Corporation. The Allstate Foundation sponsors community initiatives to promote "safe and vital communities;" "tolerance, inclusion, and diversity;" and "economic empowerment.” The Allstate Foundation believes in the financial potential of every individual and in helping CITY OF ROOKIE LEAGUE PROGRAM Instructional Program Designed for High-Risk Youth Perth Amboy, NJ (March 31, 2008) – Major League Baseball and Boys & Girls Clubs of America announced today that the Boys & Girls Clubs of Perth Amboy, in partnership with the City of Perth Amboy, will be launching their first season as part of the Rookie League program. “We are pleased to provide a quality baseball opportunity for kids in the city of Major League Baseball involvement in the Rookie League Program started in 1985 when former American League President Dr. Bobby Brown started funding programs that were interested in pitching machine programs. The programs were an immediate success. The single most important difference between Rookie League and traditional baseball is the absence of a pitcher. In the pitcher’s place, Rookie League promotes the use of a pitching machine. The machine is a great equalizer in the game of baseball; equalizing hitting potential for each player. “This partnership with Boys & Girls Club of Perth Amboy is good for Major League Baseball, the City of The program, serving “In addition to increasing participation and interest in baseball, this program builds our kids’ overall confidence and self-esteem”, states Jorge “Sam” Cruz, BGCPA’s Chief Professional Officer. “We are especially interested in reaching those kids that typically do not participate in organized sports programs, or kids who may not have the physical attributes or athleticism that some of their peers may”. The spring session of the full program consists of four-weeks of structured baseball instruction, skill-building, and game-playing. BGCPA also intends to operate a six-week summer program as well. In Rookie League baseball, regular baseball guidelines are followed with some variations: ● The pitching machine does the actual pitching. ● Modified equipment is used, i.e., smaller, softer baseballs and lightweight bats. ● The defensive alignment allows for an additional outfielder and an additional infielder. ● All players must play. ● Bunting, stealing and walks are not allowed. ● Batters receive a maximum of five pitches at bat. ● Coaches are not encouraged to keep score. The program is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, April 29th, and scheduled to end June 30th. The sessions will regularly occur on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. over at the Perth Amboy Youth League Complex, For further comment on this press release, please contact Jorge Cruz at 732-324-2114, ext. 122. |
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