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Los Angeles, CA (November 7,
2016) –
Boys & Girls Clubs of America honored Club members and
Club alum at their annual Great Futures Gala November 3,
2016 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, Beverly Hills. Boys &
Girls Clubs of America Trustees Steve Mosko and Eric Shanks,
President, COO and Executive Producer of FOX Sports
co-chaired the annual event which has been held in Los
Angeles for more than 26 years. Actor, comedian Jay Mohr
emceed.
The more than 400 guests
were treated to a moving performance by classical pianist
Chloe Flower who was joined on stage by Club members Mya
from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove and Miguel from
the Boys & Girls Clubs of Coachella Valley.
The evening’s host, actor
and comedian Jay Mohr introduced the 2015 National Youth of
the Year, Whitney S. Whitney took the audience on a
personal journey of what happens inside a Boys & Girls
Club. “Each day nearly half a million kids walk through the
doors of a Boys & Girls Club,“ said Whitney. “Clubs support
kids and teens at every level, especially where help is
needed most. Youth also connect with caring mentors and
youth development professionals who are life-changers for
Club members. They help kids and teens find stability and
enable them to achieve a great future.”
A highlight of the evening
was a special performance by four talented teens from the
new
Lyricism 101 program which encourages Club members to
raise their voice and express themselves about issues that
matter to them. The program focuses on the art of
freestyling and teens are coached by hip-hop artists and
entertainment professionals.
Jim Clark, president and CEO
of BGCA, thanked the Club member performers, co-chairs Steve
Mosko and Eric Shanks, the gala committee and sponsors for
their time and efforts in support of the nearly 4 million
kids and teens who enter Club doors each year, changing
their lives forever. “Boys & Girls Clubs are redefining
youth development through three core values. We believe
through academic success, good character and citizenship and
healthy lifestyles, we are setting our nation’s youth on the
path to success. Our strategy has already shown incredible
outcomes and we can’t wait to see what the future brings as
we expand our commitment to America’s kids and teens for
generations to come.”
The 2016 National Youth of
the Year Jocelyn W. gave a moving firsthand account of how
her Boys & Girls Club inspired and motivated her to become
the successful college freshman she is today. The National
Youth of the Year title is the highest honor a Club member
can receive.
Keynote speaker and Club
alumnus of the Boys & Girls Club of Buena Park was
award-winning director and producer Justin Lin. Lin’s films
have grossed more than $2 billion worldwide and is best
known for his work on The Fast and the Furious 3-6, Star
Trek Beyond and Better Luck Tomorrow. He is also
known for his work on television shows Community and
True Detective. Lin credits Boys & Girls Clubs for
changing his life and creating an opportunity for him to
dream big and succeed.
FOX NFL Insider and
Commentator Jay Glazer and former soccer player and current
soccer analyst for FS1, Eric Wynalda conducted a live
auction creating a bidding frenzy for an Up Close and
Personal with FOX NFL Sunday coveted football experience and
a four-night all-inclusive ultimate getaway on a private
island in Fiji at the Villa Vatu.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of
America
For more than 150 years,
Boys & Girls Clubs of America (greatfutures.org) has enabled
young people most in need to achieve great futures as
productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, more than
4,200 Clubs serve nearly 4 million young people annually
through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are
located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands
throughout the country and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated
Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. They
provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun, friendship,
and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis
during critical non-school hours. Priority programs
emphasize academic success, good character and citizenship,
and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 54
percent said the Club saved their lives. National
headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more at bgca.org/facebook
and bgca.org/twitter. |