Grant will Support the “Be a Great Graduate” Program
REDLANDS, Calif., June 9, 2010 – The Walmart Foundation’s California State Giving Council today announced a $30,000 grant for the Boys & Girls Club of Redlands to support the first of the five year “Be a Great Graduate” program. This grant will help an estimated 100 13-year old children from the Redlands area participate in the mentorship program encouraging future higher education and vocational opportunities.
“Access to both higher education and jobs in our community has become increasingly competitive and dependent upon early preparation, which is why we appreciate the Walmart Foundation’s leadership and support to provide students the tools for success,” said PT McEwen, Chief Executive Officer of the Boys & Girls Club of Redlands. “With this grant, the Walmart Foundation is literally changing the future of these kids, and we couldn’t be more optimistic about the future.”
The “Be a Great Graduate” program reaches out to middle school-aged children living in public housing and focuses on preparing them for college or vocational training through individual mentoring, paid internships, incentives, workshops and university field trips.
"We're grateful to see Walmart and the Walmart Foundation supporting the Boys & Girls Club, and continuing to support our charities here in Redlands as they have done for the past 18 years,” said Redlands Mayor Pat Gilbreath. “Walmart and the Walmart Foundation have been valuable community partners.”
The Walmart Foundation’s California State Giving Council supported the Boys & Girls Club of Redlands’ “Be a Great Graduate” program due to its unique focus on youth living in a cycle of poverty and providing them job and college preparation opportunities. The program includes providing the participants mentors involved in careers they are interested in as well as a paid internship.
“In this time of economic challenges that continue to impact the community, the Walmart Foundation is proud to support the Boys & Girls Club of Redlands with their ‘Be a Graduate’ program,” said Kimberly Sentovich, Senior Vice President of the Pacific Division of Walmart. “This program’s commitment to job training and mentorship of local youth will also benefit the broader Redlands community, and we look forward to its success.”
The grant will fund staffing, program supplies, expenses related to college field trips, and guest speakers.
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About Philanthropy at Walmart
Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are proud to support the charitable causes that are important to customers and associates in their own neighborhoods. The Walmart Foundation funds initiatives focused on education, workforce development, economic opportunity, environmental sustainability, and health and wellness. From Feb. 1, 2009 through Jan. 31, 2010, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation gave more than $467 million in cash and in-kind gifts, including donating 127 million pounds of nutritious food to U.S. food banks. Internationally, Walmart gave $45 million in cash and in-kind gifts to charitable organizations. To learn more, visit www.walmartfoundation.org.
*Ed. Note: Walmart operates Foundations in the U.S., Brazil, Mexico and the United Kingdom. In addition to its Foundation giving, Walmart makes charitable contributions locally in every community where it operates.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Redlands
Boys & Girls Clubs of Redlands (www.bgcr.org) is an affiliate of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Known as “The Positive Place for Kids,” the Clubs provide guidance-oriented character development programs on a daily basis for children 6-17 years old, conducted by a full-time professional staff. Key Boys & Girls Club programs emphasize character and leadership development, education and career development, health and life skills, the arts, sports, fitness and recreation. The Club operates locations in the communities of Loma Linda, Mentone, Redlands, and San Bernardino.