BofA grant brings financial education, opportunities to Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County
Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County received a $30,000 grant from Bank of America to assist local families with membership fees, as well as offer financial education programs to student members and their parents.
“The weekly fee for our Summer Enrichment Program is only $59, but for many families, that is an additional financial burden they just cannot afford,” said Denise Gergley, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County. “The grant from Bank of America will open up our clubs to children and teens who would not otherwise have an opportunity to thrive over the summer.”
Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County offers a full-day Summer Enrichment Program that features field trips, hands-on STEM projects, arts and crafts, team-building exercises, dance instruction, activity challenges, sports, guest speakers and academic-based classes covering safety, nutrition and other topics. Lunch and snacks are provided daily. Programs are designed for youth ages 6 through 18 and focus on five core areas: education and career, service and leadership, health and wellness, the arts, and sports and recreation.
The grant also brings Bank of America’s acclaimed Better Money Habits curriculum to Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County. The financial education platform offers practical, easy-to-understand knowledge about money with topics such as budgeting, saving, retirement planning, owning a home, credit recovery and more, allowing participants to make smarter, more-confident financial decisions. The funding is also supporting a youth employment program that provides high school students with job opportunities, giving them a chance to earn an income and obtain valuable work experience as they advance to college or enter the workforce.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County is just one of 10 Southwest Florida nonprofits the bank is supporting in the first round of economic mobility grants awarded to local nonprofits throughout the year, helping the bank drive meaningful and sustainable progress to help tackle society’s biggest challenges.
“Partnering with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County to advance the growth of local youth is part of our commitment to fostering economic mobility and equitable progress,” said Gerri Moll, president, Bank of America Southwest Florida. “Providing this funding demonstrates how we are taking steps to address economic inequality in our community.”
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County
Established in 1974, Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County serve children and teens through school-based, neighborhood and community club locations. The nonprofit’s mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens. After-school and summer programs focus on five core areas: education and career, service and leadership, health and wellness, the arts, and sports and recreation. For more information, please visit BGClee.org or call 239-334-1886.
Source: Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County