Cumulative Gift of $2.8 Million Creates 35 Learning Centers Nationwide
NEW YORK, N.Y., April 3, 2003 — Boys & Girls Clubs of America, a national nonprofit youth organization serving some 3.5 million young people, announced today that it has received a two-year $870,000 grant from the New York Life Foundation to fund 10 New York Life Learning Centers at Boys & Girls Clubs throughout the country. This is the third grant of its kind from the New York Life Foundation, which has donated more than $2.8 million to create 35 learning centers nationally since 1998.
"The New York Life Foundation has been an invaluable, long-term partner in our educational efforts," said Roxanne Spillett, president, Boys & Girls Clubs of America. "We believe helping the young people we serve become life-long learners is one of the greatest investments we can make in America's future, and we appreciate the New York Life Foundation's help in achieving this goal."
"We're proud to continue our partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America, an organization with a consistent track record for helping our children learn and grow in safe environments," said Sy Sternberg, chairman and chief executive officer of New York Life and chairman of the New York Life Foundation. "The New York Life Learning Centers allow children across the country to make substantial educational strides and realize their potential."
This grant will equip learning centers with library materials, computers, software, printers, audio-visual equipment, and other resources to help students develop better learning skills. It will also further integrate technology into the Clubs' programs and activities. Club members will now have the opportunity to take part in educational and creative activities such as developing newsletters or participating in Internet scavenger hunts, interactive games, and other online programs.
In 1998, the New York Life Foundation piloted ten New York Life Learning Centers at various locations in New York City. As a result of the overwhelming success of the pilot based on the significant improvement in Boys & Girls Club members' academic performance, the New York Life Foundation expanded the program nationally and funded fifteen additional learning centers in Atlanta; Cleveland; Dallas; Fort Worth; Kansas City; Lafayette, LA; Minneapolis; New York City; Phoenix; Pittsburgh; Sacramento; San Diego; and Tampa. The ten new learning center sites will be selected through a national Request for Proposals (RFP) process and will be announced later this year.
Boys & Girls Clubs of America (www.bgca.org) comprises a national network of more than 3,300 neighborhood-based facilities annually serving some 3.5 million young people, primarily from disadvantaged circumstances. Known as "The Positive Place for Kids," Clubs provide guidance-oriented programs on a daily basis for children 6 - 18 years old, conducted by a full-time professional staff. Key programs emphasize character and leadership development, education and career development, health and life skills, the arts, and sports, fitness and recreation. National headquarters are located in Atlanta.
Established in 1979 by New York Life Insurance Company, the New York Life Foundation (www.newyorklife.com/foundation) is the major vehicle through which the company channels contributions to national and local nonprofit organizations. Through its Nurturing the Children effort, the Foundation supports organizations, programs and services that target young people, particularly in the areas of mentoring, safe places to learn and grow, and educational enhancement opportunities. Through Volunteers for LIFE, its company-wide community involvement initiative, New York Life also encourages volunteer participation by its employees, agents and retirees.
Contacts:
Lisa Fels
New York Life
(212) 576-7937
Jan Still-Lindeman
Boys & Girls Clubs of America
(404) 487-5739
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