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Boys & Girls Club urges Americans to 'Be Great'

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Contributed by: Jaci Hoffman on 10/12/2008

America's youth need your help. From academic failure and gang violence to poverty, drugs and obesity, they face a daunting array of problems with serious consequences and fewer safety nets at home and in the community.

To address these issues, the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley is joining a new integrated advocacy campaign called "Be Great," led by national spokesperson and Academy Award-winning actor Denzel Washington.

Other Club alumni joining Washington in the BE GREAT campaign include Muhammad Ali, Swin Cash, Bill Clinton, Bill Cosby, Cuba Gooding Jr., Michael Jordan, Queen Latifah, Mario Lopez, John Mellencamp, Edward James Olmos, Smokey Robinson, John Singleton, Ruben Studdard, Usher, Courtney Vance, Mark Wahlberg and Kerry 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."

The "Be Great" campaign was developed after Boys & Girls Clubs of America 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.

The Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley offers a variety of programs to engage youth, ages 7 to 17, and to address such issues as college readiness and childhood obesity to help children be successful and stay fit.

In the 2007-2008 school year, 82 students participated in the Club's "CREATE Tomorrow's Leaders" program. Pre- and post-tests were dramatic - 83 percent improved math skills, 76 percent increased English proficiency and 82 percent reported higher levels of self esteem.

"CREATE Tomorrow's Leaders has shown itself to be able to do what it was designed to do: to get kids thinking about college and their careers," said Janine Fairall, education director at the Newhall branch.

Matt Nelson, branch manager at Newhall, described how the club incorporates 30 minutes of physical activity into each member's day with a half-hour hustle. One student tackled an overweight problem by eating better and getting more exercise. He lost 30 pounds.

"Each site also offers cooking classes that the kids love. They get to create the menu, cook the dish and eat it," Nelson said.

The Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley 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.

Visit www.be-great.org to find useful resources and compelling stories about the diverse lives touched by Boys & Girls Clubs.

Young people and their parents may also drop by the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley to learn more about our programs and activities. Facilities are located in Canyon Country, Newhall and Val Verde.

The main clubhouse phone number is 661-254-2582.

"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," Ventress said. "Help us help kids 'Be Great.' Together, we can make a difference."

The Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley is a member of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, an organization with more than 3,000 clubs nationwide. The local club was formed in 1968 by a group of community leaders who recognized the need for high-quality programs and facilities at affordable costs for area young people.

The Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley now serves more than 3,500 youth. Programs engage members in education and career exploration, the arts, sports, recreation and fitness, character and leadership development, and healthy life choices.

For more information, please visit www.scvkids.org.

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