$8,000 Grant from Taco Bell Foundation for Teens - Press Releases - Boys and Girls Clubs of Harford County, Maryland

Tuesday, June 01, 2010

$8,000 GRANT FROM TACO BELL FOUNDATION FOR TEENS

HELPS HARFORD COUNTY BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS COMBAT AMERICA’S

HIGH SCHOOL DROPOUT CRISIS

Grant will provide Real World Experiences for More Than 150 Teens and Open Doors to New Opportunities and Brighter Futures

Boys & Girls Clubs of Harford County is being recognized with an $8,000 grant from the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens to fund real world experience programs that help encourage them to stay in school and consider future career possibilities. As one of 250 organizations to receive a portion of the $1.8 million grant from the Foundation, Boys & Girls Clubs of Harford County will host training sessions for the Young Leaders Academy to promote career job opportunities, job shadowing at local retail and restaurant businesses, in-corporate team building skills from outside organizations, events geared to positive subjects such as self – worth and persistence, and fun activities to keep the youth ‘off the streets’ and be encouraged to be the best they can be.

Growing up in America today is tougher than ever. The statistics are overwhelming: today, the average high school graduation rate is 75 percent – and for Latino and African-American males, that rate drops to 50 percent; less than one-third of eighth graders perform at a proficient level in math; and reading proficiency levels drop as students enter middle school.

The grant, awarded by the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens, will allow an estimated 150 area teens to experience real world activities that will spur them to stay engaged in their communities and inspire them to remain in school, working towards graduation. Examples of these real world activities include national programs that are sponsored by the Boys and Girls Clubs of America; 1) Career Launch is a career development for members continued job preparation; 2) Goals for Graduation is a goal setting program to make improvements on academic skills and goals; 3) Money Matters helps the youth effectively manage money and learn the responsibility of spending; 4) Junior Staff develops leadership in career development, apprenticeship, customer service, and community service.

“We are grateful to be partnered with our local Taco Bell franchisees.” said Tim Wills, Director of Operations, Boys & Girls Clubs of Harford County, “The community commitment from Taco Bell has granted us the opportunity to offer the type of real world experience that ultimately helps inspire them to stay committed to earn their high school degree, dream big and be great.”

Programs and opportunities like the ones Harford County area teens are getting to experience thanks to the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens work. According to a Harris Interactive Survey of Boys & Girls Club alumni:

· 90 percent of alumni graduate from high school or obtain a GED.

· Nearly two-thirds reported that Club Staff contributed to their success in high school.

· 70 percent credited their time at the Club as helping them discover subject areas they enjoyed.

Since 1995, the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens and its supporting programs have helped more than 500,000 teens stay in school and on the path to graduation through its national partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America (www.bgca.org).

“The teen graduation crisis is a major hurdle for America as we strive to remain an innovative and powerful global leader,” said Bob Fulmer, executive director of the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens. “The vital partnerships and programs we are funding today allow Taco Bell to help teens build a foundation for a future success through the vehicle of graduation.”

Taco Bell Foundation for Teens raises funds through the generosity of Taco Bell customers and the support of Taco Bell Corp., its employees, franchisees and partners. Canisters are placed in participating restaurants so patrons can support teen programs by donating their spare change. Additionally, franchisees have developed fundraising and volunteer opportunities within their own communities to support local teen programs. On April 23, 2009, participating Taco Bell® restaurants across the country conducted the first-ever nationwide fundraiser to support Taco Bell Foundation for Teens, donating 15 percent of gross sales that day, totaling $1.8 million.

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Harford County provides program opportunities for hundreds of boys and girls each year. The Club is open Monday through Friday 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Youngsters interested in joining the Club, learning more about Club Tech or other youth programs can contact Tim Wills at

410-676-1020 or visit www.bgcharfordco.org.

About Taco Bell Corp.

Taco Bell Corp. ("Taco Bell"), a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc., (NYSE: YUM), is the nation's leading Mexican-style quick service restaurant chain. Taco Bell serves tacos, burritos, signature quesadillas, Grilled Stuft Burritos, nachos, and other specialty items such as Crunchwrap Supreme®, in addition to the 79-89-99 WHY PAY MORE™! Value Menu. Taco Bell serves more than 36.8 million consumers each week in nearly 5,600 restaurants in the U.S.

About the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens

The Taco Bell Foundation, Inc., dba Taco Bell Foundation for Teens (TBFT), a non-profit 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation, is committed to addressing the growing number of high school dropouts in the U.S. by providing at-risk youth with mentors and real-world experiences that will motivate them to stay in school and achieve more in life. Since 1995, TBFT has donated more than $28 million to support teen programs at Boys & Girls Clubs of America and other teen-serving organizations with the help of on-going customer, franchisee and employee donations. For more information about TBFT, visit www.tacobellfoundationforteens.org.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of Harford County

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Harford County was established in 1989 by a group of concerned citizens in the Aberdeen area. In its 20 year history, it has grown to 4 sites throughout Harford County and now serves more than 400 children and teens on a daily basis. Our mission is to inspire and enable all youth, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. The Club is open to all youth ages 6 to 18 and provides positive youth development programs in five core areas: Character and Leadership Development; Health & Life Skills; Education & Career Development; the Arts; and Sports, Fitness and Recreation.

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