Because of YOUR support, Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta can continue to ignite the unlimited potential of kids and teens by connecting more kids and teens with caring, supportive adults who can help them achieve their great futures.
Friends & Supporters –
The year 2021 was truly a championship season for our community! On the international stage, Team USA took home 113 medals (more than any other country) in the Tokyo Olympics. Nationally, the Georgia Bulldogs claimed the College Football Championships, and the Atlanta Braves defeated the Houston Astros and won the World Series for the first time since 1995. Here at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta (BGCMA), we continued to ignite the unlimited potential of kids & teens who are champions not just in sports (like our cover models Elijah and Jannaco) but also in life – despite challenges exacerbated by an ongoing pandemic.
In 2021, you helped us champion the needs of our kids and families by stepping up and leaning in to help our Club members begin to recover academically, mentally, and physically from the pandemic. We relied heavily on the commitment of our youth development staff and the generous support of foundations, corporate partners, government agencies, and individual donors. Without a doubt, our ability to make a difference for thousands of kids and teens was made possible by our league of champions.
Here are just a few of the big wins you helped champion for our kids and teens in 2021:
In January 2021, we launched our 5-year strategic plan, RISE 2025, our game plan to serve more kids, more often, and with greater impact. www.bgcma.org/rise2025
- As our youth grappled with the challenges of distance learning, social isolation, and racial injustice, BGCMA provided mental health support and culturally responsive trauma-informed care services in partnership with CHRIS 180 and Emory University.
- We advanced academic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic through a $2.8 million grant from the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund.
- We expanded to serve more communities. In April 2021, we opened our second At-Promise partnership site, a youth center initiative spearheaded by the Atlanta Police Foundation: At-Promise South in the Pittsburgh community.
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the needs of the kids and families we serve have become even more acute. Studies show that our youth in Metro Atlanta are dealing with increased mental health issues and post-traumatic stress, risk of child abuse and neglect, isolation, and psychosocial effects.
That’s why we still need champions like you to invest in BGCMA’s academic success, healthy lifestyle, and character & leadership programs that support the holistic wellbeing of our kids and teens. We’re creating equitable pathways for youth to excel and launching young adults into the world with hope-filled futures.
When I think about the future direction of BGCMA, I am inspired by our vision of thousands of young leaders who will grow to strengthen their communities and the world. Yet, this vision is not possible without you—our community of supporters, our champions league.
Thank you so much for all that you’ve done in 2021 and all that you will continue to do for our young people.
With gratitude,
On the bottom floor of the Warren Boys & Girls Club lies a champion’s dojo. It’s where 12-year-olds Elijah and Jannaco have spent the past two years training in the martial art form of Judo. They train under the guidance of BGCMA alumnus Sensei Joshua White, who started his Judo training at the age of four at the former W.W. Woolfolk Boys & Girls Club in Atlanta.
“I was a little too young to join the program, but they made an exception for me,” said Sensei White. “I did Judo in my off time while playing basketball. I was able to take this all over the world. I won junior national titles, was a high school national champion, and became one of the top players in the country. Now through my company, Black Ice Judo, I’m excited to give back the opportunity that was given to me.”
YOU–our staff, parents, community, and partners who are champions for our kids and teens–are truly the village that ignites the unlimited potential of our Club members and propels them to thrive in life after graduation. In 2021, through the generous support of former Board Member William M. (Billy) Small, Jr., BGCMA hired its first Alumni Relations Manager who will cultivate relationships with former Club kids.
“My family has been involved with BGCMA for three generations,” Small said. “During that time we have seen so many young people positively impacted by the Club. Recognizing the value in documenting these success stories, I offered to fund a staff position dedicated to maintaining the Club’s connections with our alumni. Our alumni program has already surpassed my expectations and is doing fantastic work not only to connect with alumni but also to provide ways for alumni to engage with each other and volunteer with the organization.”
A slam dunk for Henry County!
A $1,000,000 commitment from The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation, along with support from partners like The Papa John’s Foundation for Building Community, provided the resources needed to open the Shaquille O’Neal Boys & Girls Club of Henry County in August 2021. BGCMA also received overwhelming support from Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the City of McDonough, Henry County, the Henry County Board of Education, and several other partners, including a local advisory board that led a three-year community engagement effort to bring a Club to the area.
Take me out to the ballgame!
Boys & Girls Clubs have had a long-standing partnership with the Atlanta Braves and Major League Baseball. So, it’s no surprise that when the Braves competed in the World Series Championships, a few lucky BGCMA members had the honor of playing a part by enjoying the pre-game with the players and even delivering the game ball. Prior to winning the World Series, the Atlanta Braves and Major League Baseball renovated the baseball/softball field at the James T. Anderson Boys & Girls Club in Marietta. The refurbished diamond was unveiled as part of Hank Aaron Weekend in July. The Legacy Project renovations included a new turf infield with new outfield grass, new windscreens and backstop padding, and a pavilion spruce up.
Tee up for great futures!
Our inaugural Topgolf Fundraiser: Driving Great Futures in support of BGCMA’s workforce readiness programs raised more than $175,000 for teen workforce readiness initiatives. The event brought together corporate professionals, donors, and Club alumni for an afternoon of golf tournament-style play, a silent auction, and raffles—all in support of programs that provide our members with free access to ACT/SAT preparation, internships, and college visits.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta (BGCMA)’s 2021 Youth of the Year Gala: Breakthrough Stars honored 15 inspiring teens who are leading in their Clubs and communities. Thanks to the generosity of our corporate and individual community partners, the event raised more than $930,000 to directly support BGCMA’s mission, including academic recovery, mental and physical wellness programs, and workforce readiness experiences.
Regina, a proud member of our A. Worley Brown Boys & Girls Club in Norcross since 2017, received BGCMA’s most prestigious award: 2020/2021 Youth of the Year. Regina was awarded a college scholarship, and she represented Metro Atlanta as Youth of the Year at the statewide competition.
“I want all of you to know that despite where you come from, your background, your age or anything, nothing can stop you from being who you are,” said Regina after being named Youth of the Year. “Remember that the most important thing is your voice. The world deserves to hear your story, what you’ve been through and where you are now.”
Elias, a high school sophomore who represented the Flint River Community Center Boys & Girls Club in Clayton County, was named runner up.
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