It’s back-to-school season and Clubs across the country are making sure students are prepared to have a great year! That message rang loud and clear throughout New York’s Union Square last week as Boys & Girls Clubs of America hosted our second annual “Wake-Up Call.”
I was quick at the start, but ultimately was no match for my worthy competitors.
Some 200 members of the city’s Madison Square and South Queens Boys & Girls Clubs participated in a fun obstacle course of morning activities they must complete to be ready to learn each day – from eating a nutritious meal to getting to the bus stop on time.
Northeast Youth of the Year Crystile Carter, talented actress/singer Keke Palmer and I made the first pass through the obstacle course. Despite a strong start, my middle-age legs faded down the stretch as I finished second to Keke.
We’ve also been running an online supply drive during the back-to-school season to ensure Club members have the classroom tools they need. So far, we’ve collected 20,000 supplies. You can help give America’s kids a great school year, too, when you pass the Tools for Back-to-School pop quiz.
This young Club member showed us how to seize the day ... and the race!
While you’re thinking about supplies kids need to do well in school, you might also consider what happens after the school bell rings. For more than 15 million youth, the answer is non-adult supervised time. But for the 4 million youth Boys & Girls Clubs serve, the answer is a safe, fun, environment where caring adults reinforce and enhance the lessons they’re learning in school.
Quality after-school programs that connect to the school day can have a profound and lasting impact on a child's academic success. Clubs provide proven results that transform and save lives. Our concentration on the Club Experience, high-yield activities and fun, combined with regular attendance, is the gateway to achieving better outcomes in Academic Success, Good Character and Citizenship and Healthy Lifestyles – the core of our Formula for Impact.
My kids, Chase and Grayson, just started at a new school. Though somewhat anxious and nervous on their first day, they also found it fun and fulfilling. Both thought the food was better (no minor concern for growing boys) and made new friends. They’re also getting back to solid study and homework habits. Unfortunately, not all kids receive encouragement and reminders to focus on schoolwork. As a result, some fall behind in school before they even get started. That's why our “wake-up call” is so important to get kids off to the right start.
As all of our children return to school, please join me in building a groundswell to improve outcomes and wake America up with a call to action for our youth, who deserve the opportunity to pursue their great futures!
Thank you for your commitment and dedication to improving our kids’ lives.
