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BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF HALL COUNTY DEDICATES NEW LIBRARY AND READING CENTER

Gainesville, GA, September 8, 2011 - Today the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hall County will dedicate a new Library and Reading Center at its Joseph F. Walters Club which will encourage and improve reading skills, vocabulary development, reading comprehension and develop a more positive attitude toward reading for youth ages 6 – 12. The Library and Reading Center will provide members with the support, resources and guidance necessary to help ensure that all members are proficient in reading and help narrow the gap between advantaged and disadvantaged children. The library and program will offer a structured time and place for Club staff and volunteers to help members with a vital aspect of the educational process – reading.

At the dedication ceremony Steven Mickens, chief professional officer, BGCHC thanked all of the donors and supporters who made the Library and Reading Center possible, especially United Way of Hall County J. Cleon Nalley Educational Enhancement Fund and Gainesville First United Methodist Church Great Day of Service.

“We are especially grateful to the donors, supporters and volunteers who made this project a reality for our children,” said Mr. Mickens. “This is a room that will help inspire dreams and will be a place to share the joy of reading with children.”
Jackie Wallace, president, United Way of Hall County said, “This library and reading center that we are here to dedicate is a great example of how United Way’s mission to unite people, organizations and resources to improve lives comes to life. I believe Mr. Nalley would be thrilled if he could see how his generosity is making such a huge impact on the children at the Walters Club. United Way of Hall County was pleased to play a role in this effort.”

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Hall County is a safe place to learn and grow – all while having fun. It is the place where great futures are started each and every day.To ensure that youth leave the Clubs as well-rounded individuals with a plan for the future, Clubs are focusing efforts on three key outcome areas: Academic Success, Good Character and Citizenship, and Healthy Lifestyles.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Hall County has implemented three strategies to support these outcomes:

1.      Every Member, Every Year, BGCHC’s graduation strategy, aims to ensure all Club members progress on time each year to the next grade level.
2.      Live Healthy helps educate youth about fitness, nutrition and smart decisions.
3.      Be Engaged provides character, leadership and service learning opportunities for Club members.

The Clubs serve over 4,000 young people annually and 375 members, ages 6 to 18 every day. 77% of our youth come from economically disadvantaged circumstance. The percentage of members living in a single parent household is 86%.   The Clubs membership is 53% male and 47% female, 43% African-American, 32% Hispanic, 16% Caucasian and 9% Multi-Racial.
The work of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hall County is supported by over 35 full- and part-time staff, plus a volunteer force of over 100 community leaders and private citizens.
The fee for membership is $25 per year per child and the after-school program is free. The eight week Summer Program is $100 per child. No child is turned away due to inability to pay.

For more information please call Boys & Girls Clubs of Hall County at 770/532-8102.