{"id":11207,"date":"2014-07-31T10:52:28","date_gmt":"2014-07-31T14:52:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mcreativepr.com\/?p=11207"},"modified":"2014-07-31T10:52:28","modified_gmt":"2014-07-31T14:52:28","slug":"boys-nationwide-movement-redefines-the-opportunity-equation-for-kids-by-elevating-need-for-i","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mcreativepr.com\/2014\/07\/31\/boys-nationwide-movement-redefines-the-opportunity-equation-for-kids-by-elevating-need-for-i\/","title":{"rendered":"Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County launches Great Futures Campaign to advocate for kids during out-of-school time; Nationwide movement redefines the opportunity equation for kids by elevating need for increased access to after-school and summer programs"},"content":{"rendered":"

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FORT MYERS, Fla. (July 31, 2014) \u2013 The Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County<\/a> today announced the launch of the Great Futures Campaign to mobilize the community in support of kids and empower today\u2019s youth to achieve great futures.<\/p>\n

The local Club is joining Boys & Girls Clubs nationwide to redefine the opportunity equation for kids by elevating the critical role out-of-school time plays in a child\u2019s development. Through the Great Futures Campaign, the organization seeks to ensure that every child and teen has access to a safe place after school and during the summer where they can build the knowledge, skills and behaviors to put them on the path for success.<\/p>\n

Every day, 15 million (one out of three) kids nationwide leave school with no place to go, putting them at risk of being unsupervised, unguided and unsafe. During the summer, an alarming 43 million (three out of four) kids in America lack access to summer-learning programs, increasing their risk of learning loss and putting them at a disadvantage before the new school year starts. The way a child spends their time after school and during the summer can significantly impact the path they take.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen the nation prepares to go back to school this fall, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County wants to ensure out-of-school time is part of the conversation,\u201d said <\/strong>Shannon Lane, chief professional officer of the BGCLC. \u201cWe\u2019re <\/strong>taking a leadership role with the Great Futures Campaign to elevate the impact of out-of-school time, a critical, yet often overlooked, part of a student\u2019s day. When school is out, no child should go unsafe or unguided. Through the campaign, we are advocating on behalf of kids and convening public, private and nonprofit partners around our goal of ensuring all kids have access to a safe, engaging and productive place to go between school and home.\u201d<\/p>\n

A response to the crises facing America\u2019s kids, the campaign is focused on reversing the most negative trends facing youth and the country:<\/p>\n