Parker
says (9:45 AM):
Hi, thanks for IMing.
Evan
says (9:45 AM):
Absolutely.
Parker
says (9:45 AM):
When did the Boys & Girls Clubs start?
Evan
says (9:46 AM):
In 1860. Three women in Connecticut opened a Club to help delinquent local kids.
Parker
says (9:46 AM):
That long ago?
Evan
says (9:47 AM):
The Boys Clubs of America, the national organization, was founded in 1906.
Parker
says (9:47 AM):
You say “Boys Clubs.” What gives?
Evan
says (9:47 AM):
The name was changed to Boys & Girls Clubs of America in 1990.
Parker
says (9:48 AM):
Why?
Evan
says (9:48 AM):
We have girls. Both boys and girls. In the clubs.
Parker
says (9:48 AM):
Do the kids run the show?
Evan
says (9:49 AM):
No. Adults give guidance, serve as role models, provide safe places where kids feel secure and can participate in enriching programs…
Evan
says (9:49 AM):
And just be themselves and have fun!
Parker
says (9:50 AM):
What’s the organization’s goal?
Evan
says (9:50 AM):
To help all young people become productive, caring, responsible citizens.
Parker
says (9:51 AM):
Pretty ambitious.
Evan
says (9:51 AM):
It is, but we’ve got more than 4,300 Clubs serving around 4.8 million youth.
Parker
says (9:52 AM):
That’s huge.
Evan
says (9:52 AM):
We’ve more than doubled in ten years. But there are still some 14 million youth left alone during the critical hours when violent juvenile crime is at its worst.
Parker
says (9:53 AM):
Lots of celebrities are alumni, right?
Evan
says (9:53 AM):
True…Denzel Washington, Jennifer Lopez and General Wesley Clark, to name a few.
Parker
says (9:54 AM):
Do you think they impact the current kids?
Evan
says (9:54 AM):
They definitely inspire. We’re very intentional about sharing Club success stories.
Parker
says (9:55 AM):
How can UN-FAMOUS people help?
Evan
says (9:55 AM):
They can always donate at
www.bgca.org Or join the i’m Initiative and select BGCA as their cause.
Parker
says (9:55 AM):
What has the i’m Initiative meant for BGCA?
Evan
says (9:56 AM):
It’s helped us tap into the social networking space and reach our advocates and alumni, and also new audiences.
Evan
says (9:56 AM):
The awareness leads to engagement. When that happens, more kids are reached, more
communities are improved, and more lives are changed.