Annual Report 2016

FRIENDS & SUPPORTERS

Friends & Supporters –

As I watched our talented kids perform their speeches at Youth of the Year last November, I began to think about all of the people who helped shape their lives and all of the heart, thought, and hands that went into making them who they are today.

I was overcome with the power of imprints.

An imprint is a mark, an impression, something left behind. Whether it is through giving your time, focusing your passion, lending your counsel, or sharing your resources, each of you has left a clear imprint on our kids and teens. I want to thank you.

In this report, you will see fingerprints from our kids, staff, board members, and supporters like you…many of the people that bring our organization to life. Just like each person, each fingerprint is completely unique – a powerful symbol of the good we can achieve when we bring together people with differing passions, perspectives, and experiences to push toward a common cause.

You will also get a glimpse into the ways that kids in our Clubs are making their mark. Each day, I see living proof of the positive changes our kids are driving among their peers, communities, and the world.

Last year, because of your support, nearly 10,000 kids walked through our doors and one step closer to a future fueled by opportunity. They found a love for learning and the resources needed to get to and through their post-secondary education. They developed the skills, confidence, and desire to live a healthy life. They formed a stronger understanding of who they are, where they came from, and where they are going, including how they can serve as leaders that shape their communities and the world. It was a year full of impressions…many of which will leave their mark for years to come.

While we celebrate the successes of 2016, we have to keep pushing forward. Many of the kids and teens we serve do not have access to the resources and relationships they need to chart a better path. It is up to us to get them there.

In 2017, we have a number of exciting partnerships and projects on the horizon. We are continuing to focus on quality, giving our kids the best through their Club spaces, the staff that shape their lives, and the programs that build critical skills and ignite their passions. Later this year, we will break ground on our new flagship Club at the current John H. Harland location, a studio focused on arts, innovation, and expression that will serve Boys & Girls Club members across the movement and the whole Westside community. We will also continue to roll out our College of Strategic Programs, a training program that teaches hundreds of staff members the most cutting edge and effective youth development practices in place today.

Please know the imprint you have made and the impression you have left is felt by all of us. We look forward to seeing all the ways you make your mark in the future.

Thanks for all you have done and will continue to do for our kids and our Clubs.

Sincerely,

Missy Dugan

President & CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta