Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast Taking Aim at Florida’s Dropout and Literacy Rates

Pinellas County, FL, March 1, 2010 - Florida has one of the highest dropout rates and lowest literacy rates in the nation.  When the school doors close, for summer, many children struggle to access educational opportunities, as well as basic needs such as healthy meals and adequate adult supervision.  In response to this, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast have launched a summer literacy program.  The Boys & Girls Club Summer Reading Camp will work to encourage and inspire reading and learning to Club Members.  Working with the Pinellas County School system on the curriculum, facilitators and books, the camp will run for 10 weeks this summer, from June 10, 2010 to August 20, 2010.

BGCS has the goal of sending 200 children to Boys & Girls Clubs Summer Reading Camp this summer.  At a cost of $1000 per child, BGCS needs the support from it community groups, businesses and individuals to help sponsor a child this summer.

Numerous studies show that summer learning opportunities improve academic outcomes for youth.  Early and sustained summer learning opportunities lead to higher graduation rates and better preparation for college.  Summer programs have also been shown to positively affect children’s self-esteem, confidence, and motivation.

Sponsorships have been known to not only change the life of the child sponsored, but the benefactor as well.   

For more information regarding sponsorships or donations to this vital summer program visit www.bgcsuncoast.org or call 727-524-2427.   

About the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast:

The Boys & Girls Clubs of America movement came to Pinellas County in November 1959 with the founding of the Boys Club of Pinellas Park by Police Chief Maurice L. MacTarsney and Margret “Peg” Nunn.  The Club began operating in January 1960 in an old frame building leased from the City of Pinellas Park with its 1st executive director, James S Hart Jr.  The Boys Clubs of Pinellas, Inc. was chartered in August 1967 when its second club opened at the Northside location in St. Petersburg.  In May 1970, at the urging of both the United Way and the Boys Clubs of America, the Boys Clubs of Pinellas County, Inc. was organized.  In 1991, the Boys Clubs of Pinellas County opened its programs to all youth, forming Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast (BGCS), as we know it today, now with eleven locations.  BGCS under the leadership of Carl R. Lavender, Jr. has the goal “to influence the behavior and the attitudes of each individual boy and girl in a wholesome manner.”  The sole purpose of BGCS is to provide children, youth, their families and the community opportunities for safe, structured, well supervised after school and summer youth programs, with an emphasis on leadership, education and self sufficiency.  The organization has proven its commitment to service for children and community members with innovative and progressive programming and opportunities.  Supporters of Boys & Girls Clubs include government politicians, law enforcement agency representatives, financial institutions, and education boards, among other concerned citizens.  To find out more or to help, visit www.bgcsuncoast.org.