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Contact: Olivia Doherty, 301-656-0348 Editors’ note: From 5:15-8:00pm Monday through Friday, BGCGW will serve participants healthy snacks and integrate them into a scope of nationally recognized programs throughout the evening. On Wednesdays and Thursdays, feature programs range from recreational activities like t-ball, karate, chess and FitU to character development sessions such as, Little League of Gentlemen, Shine and Torch Club. Washington, D.C. -- The DC Children and Youth Investment Trust Corporation and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington (BGCGW) are partnering to provide off-site after-school and summer activities for children and youth temporarily residing in a shelter for homeless families. The Hope 2 Opportunity (H2O) Initiative allows the youth to spend time with their peers in an enriching environment while keeping them engaged, learning and having fun. From April to August, the Trust and BGCGW are providing programming for up to 75 youth ages 6-18 at The Richard England Clubhouse 14, located on Benning Road in Northeast Washington. Youth participating in the program are transported from the emergency shelter at DC General to the site by passenger van, thanks to the generous support of the Department of Human Services. By joining the Boys & Girls Club, the young people will automatically be a member of the club in any neighborhood in the District, giving them a connection to their new community when they transition to stable housing. The Boys & Girls Clubs of America, BGCGW’s parent company, will match The Trust’s $35,000 for a grant totaling $70,000 allocated to H20 activities and programming. The summer session will include programs such as Career Launch, UPS Safe Driving and Verizon Tech Project. Youth 12 and under will be treated to a one week overnight stay at BGCGW’s 168-acre Camp Brown located in Southern Maryland. Teens will receive a one weekend camp stay. There will also be four sessions for parents. “We are delighted to receive such an endorsement from The Trust and the District at such a challenging time for today’s youth. This collaboration will allow us to extend the scope of our programs to families in transition and help improve the quality of life for their children,” said BGCGW President and CEO Pandit F. Wright. “It is important that all children have positive, meaningful activities in which to participate, after-school and during the summer,” said Ellen London, interim president and CEO of the Trust. “For young people living in such stressful conditions, out-of-school-time activities become even more vital.” “We applaud the Trust and BGCGW for taking the initiative to provide fun and meaningful after-school activities for youth at the Family Emergency Shelter,” said DC Department of Human Services Director Clarence H. Carter. “Thanks to this partnership, youth from the shelter will have an exciting new opportunity to participate in high-quality programming and enrich their lives in a safe, nurturing space.” ### The DC Children and Youth Investment Trust Corporation is the primary resource for developing partnerships that expand and improve services and opportunities for children and youth in the District of Columbia, especially during their time out of school. The partnerships include public schools, city agencies, and employers, including non-profit providers. Since its inception in 1999, the Trust has provided grants, technical assistance, youth worker training, capacity building, learning opportunities, convenings, and policy support in the District. www.cyitc.org The Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington is one of the largest affiliates of Boys and Girls Clubs of America. BGCGW serves nearly 21,000 children in 18 clubs, 3 outreach centers, and a summer camp all located in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. Through a variety of educational, sports, and recreation, health, arts, and character development programs, BGCGW creates a positive environment where children are encouraged to develop their ambitions and turn them into reality. BGCGW helps boys and girls of all backgrounds, especially those who need us most, build confidence, develop character, and acquire skills that prepare them for school and for life as productive, civic-minded, and responsible adults. For more information on programs, please call 202-540-2300 or visit our website at www.bgcgw.org.
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