Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade is being recognized with a $25,000 grant from the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens to fund real world experience programs that help encourage them to stay in school and consider future career possibilities. As one of 250 organizations to receive a portion of the $1.8 million grant from the Foundation, Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade will host a series of educational trips throughout Florida. Club teens will have the opportunity to visit locations, such as the Kennedy Space Center, the Florida Everglades and the Venetians Pool to name a few.
Growing up in America today is tougher than ever. The statistics are overwhelming: today, the average high school graduation rate is 75 percent – and for Latino and African-American males, that rate drops to 50 percent; less than one-third of eighth graders perform at a proficient level in math; and reading proficiency levels drop as students enter middle school.
The grant, awarded by the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens, will allow an estimated [60] Miami and Northwest area teens to experience real-wor
ld activities that will spur them to stay engaged in their communities and inspire them to remain in school, working towards graduation. Examples of these real-world activities include: partnering with local business partners to help teens write their first resumes and cover letters; conducting mock “dress for success” sessions to prepare them for future job interviews and actively participating in the learning process of Florida’s rich and vibrant history by attending field trips that expose them to our state’s and county’s rich & diverse cultures.
“We are honored to be recognized by the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens for our unremitting commitment to teen graduation and success,” said Alex Rodriguez-Roig, Executive Director of Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade. “It’s because of partnerships like this that we are able to offer the type of real-world experience that ultimately helps inspire them to stay committed to earn their high school degree, dream big and be great.”
Programs and opportunities like the ones Miami and Northwest area teens are getting to experience thanks to the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens work. According to a Harris Interactive Survey of Boys & Girls Club alumni:
- 90 percent of alumni graduate from high school or obtain a GED.
- Nearly two-thirds reported that Club staff contributed to their success in high school.
- 70 percent credited their time at the Club as helping them discover subject areas they enjoyed.
Since 1995, the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens and its supporting programs have helped more than 500,000 teens stay in school and on the path to graduation through its national partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America (www.bgca.org).
“The teen graduation crisis is a major hurdle for America as we strive to remain an innovative and powerful global leader,” said Bob Fulmer, executive director of the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens. “The vital partnerships and programs we are funding today allow Taco Bell to help teens build a foundation for a future success through the vehicle of graduation.”
Taco Bell Foundation for Teens raises funds through the generosity of Taco Bell customers and the support of Taco Bell Corp., its employees, franchisees and partners. Canisters are placed in participating restaurants so patrons can support teen programs by donating their spare change. Additionally, franchisees have developed fundraising and volunteer opportunities within their own communities to support local teen programs. On April 23, 2009, participating Taco Bell® restaurants across the country conducted the first-ever nationwide fundraiser to support Taco Bell Foundation for Teens, donating 15 percent of gross sales that day, totaling $1.8 million.
For more information on the Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade, please visit www.bgcmia.org or call 305-446-9910.