Page 131 - South Mississippi Living - December, 2018

GIVING BACK club kids
story by Alexis Williams photo courtesy of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Gulf Coast
Serving over 3,000 children annually, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Gulf Coast work to enable all young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens. With five clubs on the Coast, there are clubs in all three coastal counties serving children ages 4 to 18.
How can you help?
Monthly Giving
Help more kids reach their full potential with your year-round impact.
At Boys & Girls Clubs of the Gulf Coast we count on community members just like you for support. Together, we are investing in the future of our community!
It costs our families between just $50-$75 annually per child based on income to become a member of Boys & Girls Clubs. It costs us much more to serve each child. Your gift, big or small, helps us reach thousands of kids every day.
SPONSOR A KID
Sponsor a kid for the year – $1500
Sponsor a kid to attend Summer Camp – $500 Sponsor a Club member for the month – $50
“Our Clubs provide a fun, safe and constructive environment for kids and teens during out- of-school hours,” said Keva Scott, Boys & Girls Clubs of
the Gulf Coast chief executive officer. “They offer programs and services to help young people succeed in school, develop leadership skills, and maintain healthy lifestyles.”
Club members experience a safe place to learn, play and grow, supportive relationships with caring mentors, and enriching programs, experiences and activities, including dance team, RBI Baseball clinics, art classes at the Ohr-O’keefe Museum of Art, Astro Camp sponsored by NASA, financial literacy workshops and more.
Boys & Girls Clubs wants to make their services affordable for families, offering a discounted monthly fee of $50 and awarding scholarships to students who are unable to pay.
“Clubs are increasing the impact on the young people they serve by focusing on
three priority outcome areas: Academic Success, Good Character and Citizenship, and Healthy Lifestyles,” Scott says.
With the support of the community, Boys & Girls Clubs give students a safe place to develop essential life skills while also having fun. According to Scott, “Club kids” are more likely to become high school graduates, stay physically active and volunteer in their communities.
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Gulf Coast
228.896.3770 | www.bgcgulfcoast.org
FOR MORE REFLECTIONS OF THE GULF COAST >> www.smliving.net
December 2018 • SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living 131
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