Page 72 - South Mississippi Living - December, 2017

GIVING BACK building great futures
story by Susan Ruddiman F photo courtesy of Boys & Girls Clubs
or more than 50 years, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Gulf Coast (BGCGC) have been building great
futures for young people ages 5-18.
“We help young people to reach their full potential
through a program of youth development that emphasizes career and academic preparedness, healthy lifestyles, and character and good citizenship,” said Tori Bishop, Director of Resource Development and Marketing.
There are five locations encompassing Hancock and
Harrison counties – Bay St. Louis, Pass Christian, Gulfport, Biloxi and D’Iberville. They are open weekdays from 2-6 p.m. and all day for summer camps. Each day, more than 1,000 children attend one of the locations. The BGCGC is part of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
The BGCGC has a proven record in producing results for the youth we serve:
• While 16 percent in the two counties do not graduate from high school. BGCGC members have a 100 percent graduation rate.
• Although 14 percent of third-graders in the two counties failed the state mandated reading assessment, all BGCGC members passed.
• 39 percent of young people ages 6-18 in Mississippi are overweight or obese. Boys & Girls Club members get 30 minutes or more of physical activity each day, thus encouraging healthy lifestyles.
Club members are provided a range of activities and services, including homework help, mentoring, sports and recreation programs, art programs, access to computer technology, service and leadership clubs and much more. They are served healthy snacks every day.
An individual or business can sponsor a child during the school year for $1,250 or during the summer for $500.
“When you make an investment in the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Gulf Coast, you change the future for thousands of young people,” Bishop said.
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Gulf Coast
201 Holly Circle, Gulfport, MS 39501 228.896.3770 • www.bgcgulfcoast.org
72 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • December 2017
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