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Dear Friends of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Monterey County,
You have the opportunity to positively influence and impact the youth in our community by supporting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Monterey County.
“Be an advocate for yourself” - those are the words that have guided Erika, a 17 year old member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Monterey County. At the Club Erika discovered her dreams can become a reality. Her dream is to be the first in her family to attend a 4 year university that is being made possible by taking advantage of all the opportunities the Boys & Girls Clubs of Monterey County has to offer. Erika, a senior in high school, has a grade point average of 3.9 applying to many universities with hopes to go to Stanford University. David, a staff person and her mentor told her that “To achieve happiness, you must have passion, once you discover your passion you have to make choices towards your purpose in life.” Those words and the guidance of our professional youth development staff have helped Erika to be successful and to realize her full potential.
Since 1968 the Boys & Girls Clubs of Monterey County has provided a safe, nurturing environment for all young people, especially those that need us most, in Monterey County. The BGCMC focuses on three essential outcomes for Club members: academic success, healthy lifestyles, and character and leadership development. While they are separate in many ways, they add up to the most essential outcome of all – young people who are prepared to enter the adult world as productive, caring, responsible citizens.
By now, we are all too familiar with the staggering high school dropout statistics across our nation. Yes, we must be committed to helping Club members stay in school and progress successfully from one grade to the next, but how can youth focus on their studies if they are hungry? What is more immediate to a young person – prepping for that test tomorrow or finding something nutritious to eat tonight?
There are no easy answers to the many complicated issues facing youth today, but one thing is clear: it will take efforts from all segments of society to address them. Without havens like the Boys & Girls Clubs of Monterey County, young people, like Erika, have fewer opportunities to receive positive guidance and support.
We have a lot on our minds these days as we read the headlines and hear troubling news about the state of our economy. However, we should not lose sight of the fact that our communities are pulling together across the county to help our young people. While the economic forecasts are uncertain right now, what is quite certain is that there is no better time to support our Club in any way you can, and help change, and in some cases, save, the life of a child.
With Appreciation,
Donna Ferraro
CEO/President
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Donna Ferraro, CEO/President
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