Denzel Washington and Boys & Girls Clubs Across the Nation Launch Campaign
to Help Youth Reach Their Full Potential The BE GREAT campaign was developed after Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) conducted an online survey of more than 1,100 teens earlier this year in which 33 percent said that academic failure is the top issue facing America. In the survey, another 67 percent reported knowing someone who had dropped out of high school. In March 2008, BGCA hosted a national Teen Town Hall meeting in Los Angeles, where young Americans (20 percent) expressed concern about the rising level of teen pregnancy and 22 percent reported knowing students who regularly carry weapons to school. To address these issues, Boys & Girls Clubs of Indian River County is joining a new integrated advocacy campaign called BE GREAT, led by national spokesperson and Academy Award-winning actor, Denzel Washington. “As someone whose life was changed dramatically by a Boys & Girls Club, I can think of no better organization to lead the country in addressing the pressing needs of today’s young people,” said Washington. “I also believe that as adults, we must assume responsibility for many of the conditions that are preventing our young people from achieving their full potential.” Boys & Girls Club of Indian River County urges parents, community leaders and all residents to:
· Get involved in the life of a child by volunteering, serving on a local board or financially supporting local Boys & Girls Clubs.
· Ask elected officials to call attention to the issues affecting young people and to direct more partnerships and resources toward solutions.
· Reconnect and re-engage as alumni with community organizations such as Boys & Girls Clubs that impacted their lives as youth.
· Host a youth forum to hear the concerns and issues of the young people in our community.
America needs to make our young people a priority. Kids and teens need a safe, supervised and structured environment during the critical after-school hours.
Help us help kids BE GREAT. Together we can make a difference. To learn more, visit BeGreatAmerica.org
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