As we reflect on 2020, a time of great uncertainty, we can’t help but remember and celebrate what a huge role you played in our success. Because of you, we were able to provide critical resources and support to thousands of kids and families in and around Atlanta. Thank you!
Because YOU believe in our mission:
1. Our kids and teens are staying connected, active, engaged. During the shutdown, we launched “The Club” – a digital platform where more than 1,000 kids and teens connected, created, and collaborated virtually. Now, we’ve opened our doors at nearly 20 locations serving as distance learning and/or afterschool providers.
2. We helped fill the food gap for our families. Over the summer months, we helped combat food insecurity in the areas of greatest need by distributing more than 120,000 snacks and meals to kids and families. Check out this video to see all the ways your support helped kids and families navigated the challenges of COVID-19.
3. We helped bridge the digital divide. Throughout the pandemic, generous partners stepped up to help us deliver computers and laptops to our kids and teens to support distance learning. We are proud to share 170 devices have been distributed to date.
4. Our teens are speaking up about racial injustice. Club teens Kimberly Heard and Kelcei Rivers served as panelists for a national Teen Empowerment Town Hall where they shared their thoughts on police brutality, criminal justice reform, and what they can do as teens to drive change.
5. We expanded to serve more communities. Not only did we secure an expanded partnership with At-Promise, a youth center initiative spearheaded by the Atlanta Police Foundation, we continued our partnership with Purpose Built Communities, opening the first of our three Clubs in the Thomasville Heights Community. We’ve even expanded our footprint to serve kids in Clayton County at the Flint River Community Center Boys & Girls Club!
6. We welcomed a new leader to our movement. Last year, we welcomed David Jernigan, our new President & CEO, to the BGCMA family. Learn more about David and why he feels Boys & Girls Club – and your support – is so important to kids, families, and our community.
David Jernigan, President & CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta
Melissa “Nila” Smith, 2020/2021 Youth of the Year for Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta
7. Our families know we care. We sent dozens of text blasts sharing critical resources and made more than 7,500 outreach calls to check in and assess the hurdles and challenges they faced during the pandemic.
8. Our young leaders are taking the world by storm. Melissa “Nila” Smith found an outlet for expression at her Club and is ready to empower other teens to do the same as our 2020/2021 Youth of the Year. BGCMA’s former Youth of the Year, Kimberly Heard, competed for the National title after being crowned Youth of the Year for the U.S. Southeast region.
9. We helped kids and teens process big challenges and handle trauma. As kids and teens grappled with the challenges of distance learning, social isolation, academic backslide and racial injustice, we hosted weekly “Safe Space” virtual discussions to provide a place for them to talk about their emotions and work through trauma. Sessions also focused on developing actionable ways kids and teens can make a difference.
10. Our teens are on their way to bright futures. 100% of our seniors participating in the CareerBound program graduated high school with a plan for the future, such as 4-year college, 2-year technical school, or the military. Club teens were awarded a total of $500,000 in college scholarships! Check out this video of our 2020 Virtual Senior Breakthrough to learn more about how your support is opening doors to opportunities.
