Our Youth of the Year, DeQuan Foster, interviews National BGC CEO, Jim Clark at the Keystone Conference in Texas for MyClubMyLife.com

Read Jim’s Blog Article Here

The park was also set up in a way that it included a 5k walk for the community. Many vendors were present in providing food to purchase, arts & crafts, kite flying, music and inflatable rides. Our members had so much FUN, they didn’t want to leave!

A study just released by Prof. Jamshid Damooei of Damooei Global Research demonstrates how the social and economic benefits provided by New Jersey Boys & Girls Clubs translate into “tremendous economic value” for New Jersey Club members, their parents and their communities.

According to the report, “[w]hile it is easy to appreciate the work of the Clubs in qualitative and emotional or social terms, it requires additional analysis to understand the monetary and economic value of these institutions. At first glance, the Clubs can be praised for the social benefits that they create in the state. However, by digging deeper, it becomes readily apparent tat these social benefits create tremendous economic value in New Jersey.

Every $1 spent by the Clubs to provide a safe after-school environment can save $2 annually on costs communities could have incurred for teenage pregnancies and births, underage drinking and expenditures for the criminal justice system.

For every $1 spent by the Clubs, $1.45 of increased earnings is generated through the increased lifetime earnings of Club members, whose school performance and graduation rates improve through educational assistance.

Every $1 spent by the Clubs can generate $9 of earnings by parents, who can keep their jobs due to high-quality, low-cost after-school supervision offered by the Clubs.

The study identified several additional areas where Club participation has significant economic implications:

HEALTH: More than 60% of registered Club members reported reaching or maintaining a healthy weight by participating in physical activities; and 62.4% of parents report that their children have made better food and drink choices since attending the Boys & Girls Clubs.

PARENTAL EDUCATION: 20.4% of parents whose children attend the Clubs have been able to pursue further education or skills training.

“The economic impact report confirms that the essential investment Boys & Girls Clubs make, on a daily basis, in the future of our young people is really an investment in the future of our state,” said Al Koeppe, Chairman of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority.

“This study clearly shows that New Jersey Boys & Girls Clubs have an impact even beyond the enormous social and educational benefits we have always recognized,” said Boys & Girls Clubs of NJ CEO Connie Ludwin. “The tremendous economic rate of return is a testament to the vital role Clubs play in shaping the lives and futures of members and their parents, as well as the community.”

“A member of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Newark (BGCN) for 11 years, the deep sense of commitment to his community Foster feels is not uncommon. In fact, the wunderkind, a soon-to-be-published author, seems to be following in the footsteps of fellow Newarker Shaquille O’Neal.”

READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Newark has established a strong Chess & Mentoring program at the Central Ward Clubhouse. Taking place on Saturdays, the program teaches chess as well as life skills. We are always looking for mentors or chess instructors who value the strength in our children and love seeing an impact through their work. Free breakfast is always provided.

Please check out the full article on Newark Pulse by CLICKING HERE!

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The 24th Annual Evening of the Stars was a beneficial gathering of every background with one focus on their mind; Raising money for an organization that has an immediate impact on Newark’s urban community. The honorees of the night were Shaquille O’Neal recieving the William Jazz Jones Brightest Star award, as well as Paul Sylvester and Michael Farrel from MetLife, who both received the Award for Caring. Together with your help and support, we raised half a million dollars for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Newark!

Of course, it was a team approach that made this possible, including our VP of Operations, who made two free throws and won $20,000, courtesy of Shaquille O’Neal.

Watch it here:

Choosing between these two contenders wasn’t easy! We deeply cherish them both!

On Valentine’s day the kids were treated to a lively, fun-filled dance party. Our very own DJ Lazy K kept the party rocking on the wheels of steel.

Photo credit: Mr. M., Nassan Jones, and Asaiyah Brunson.