We’re Lovin’ the Grant Club Teen Room Makeover! BGCMA Partners with McDonald’s to Bridge Digital Divide

Boys & Girls Club members play chess at the diplomas2Degrees computer lab.

Local McDonald’s franchisees donate computers and unveil computer lab

We’re lovin’ it.  Thanks to our partners at McDonald’s, the teen room at our Michael A. Grant Club has been totally transformed! In effort to bridge the digital divide, local-area McDonald’s franchises delivered desktop computers to the Grant Club and unveiled an innovative “diplomas2Degrees” computer lab as a safe space for students to socialize while furthering their studies. The space also includes a TV and a mural wall, among other updates.

“Children are our future. Investing in them is truly the most important thing we can do,” said local McDonald’s Owner/Operator Mark Mines. “What the Boys and Girls Clubs do on a daily basis should be celebrated. I’m proud to be part of a brand that not only celebrates this great organization but provides substantial financial support to their success.”

“We are so elated that McDonald’s chose to give our Michael A. Grant Boys & Girls Club teen room a makeover,” said Grant Club Executive Director Jaleesa Jones. “Our teens were so thrilled to see their room transform from the space they knew, to now a lounge space with a beautiful mural, new furniture, computers and new TVs.  The space is engaging, inclusive, and provides a safe environment for our teens to learn and grow.”

Technology access is one of the biggest barriers to students’ academic success and according to the Pew Research Center, nearly one-in-five teens cannot complete homework due to lack of high-speed internet connection at home. This challenge is most prominent among Black students and those from low-income households. 

About Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta (BGCMA): For more than 80 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta (BGCMA) has ignited the unlimited potential of kids and teens by creating safe, inclusive, and engaging environments. Our 26 Clubs located in 11 counties across metropolitan Atlanta have traditionally served nearly 8000 kids & teens (ages 6-18) each year, offering youth development programs during critical non-school hours that promote academic success, healthy lifestyles, and character & leadership. BGCMA also oversees Camp Kiwanis, a 160-acre outdoor residence camp. To learn more about BGCMA, follow us on social media: Twitter (@BGCMA_Clubs), Facebook (BGCMA), LinkedIn (Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta), and Instagram (bgcmATL), or visit us online at www.bgcma.org.  

About McDonald’s USA Community Efforts: McDonald’s support of Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s diplomas2Degrees program is just one of many company initiatives created to connect with the communities McDonald’s serves. These efforts also include webinars such as Classroom Convos, which focus on topics currently impacting Asian and Pacific Islander American students; the HACER® Education Tour, which provides information to navigate the college application process; the Black & Positively Golden Mentors Program, which pairs industry leaders with up-and-coming changemakers in the same fields;  and the Archways to Opportunity program for restaurant crew which provides educational resources to eligible employees at participating U.S. restaurants. Together, with Owner/Operators, we are feeding and fostering our communities.