Austin Boys & Girls Club Names Housing Authority of the City of Austin a “Champion for Youth”
Austin, TX – May 28, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area (BGCAA) has named the Housing Authority of the City of Austin (HACA) a “Champion for Youth” for the agency’s unwavering commitment to youth, educational success, and mentoring programs for children living in public housing in Austin. The announcement came during the BGCAA’s spring Great Futures luncheon.
“Our kids are the future of Austin, and HACA is committed to their success,” said HACA President and CEO Michael Gerber. “We are proud to be partnered with Boys & Girls Clubs to make a difference in the lives of literally hundreds of our kids. Working together, we are giving our kids the tools to be successful in school, and in life.”
Since establishing clubs based at HACA’s public housing properties, BGCAA has operated clubs at three HACA public housing sites serving nearly 300 children – Thurmond Heights Apartments in North Austin, Chalmers Courts Apartments in East Austin, and at Meadowbrook Apartments in South Austin. In addition, more than 60 children from Rosewood Courts and Booker T. Washington Apartments participate in Boys & Girls Clubs programming at the East Clublocated directly across from the Booker T. Washington Apartments at the former site of historic L.C. Anderson High School site.
By offering curriculum-based after-school, school break and summer programs onsite or at locations nearby, community volunteers travel to the youth, thus enabling more youth to easily join in activities and enjoy targeted academic and social support that enrich their lives and help fulfill their potential.
“HACA has provided financial support of Boys & Girls Clubs members for well over a decade, but most importantly they host and provide financial support for our Chalmers Courts, Thurmond Heights and Meadowbrook clubs,” said BGCAA CEO Mark A. Kiester. “Combined, those clubs serve more than 300 kids per day – who because of the services provided by HACA and BGCAA will have great futures . We deeply value our partnership with HACA, because their staff works hand in hand with our staff to give kids hope, opportunity, skills and attitudes to become successful and as they grow into adulthood. Together we are insuring the HACA kids of today will be productive citizens of tomorrow.”
Primary activities offered by the Boys & Girls Clubs at HACA properties include prevention/drug prevention (SMART Moves, Healthy Habits, Smart Girls, Passport to Manhood); Education (Power Hour, reading program and homework help); Recreation (sports and Daily Challenge); Culture (I Heart Art and Art Attack), and Technology (Club Tech). Other unique activities include health and wellness fairs, basketball tournaments, teen socials, volunteer opportunities, field trips, a family game night and drawing seminars.
BGCAA is one of Austin’s leading youth development agencies – a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, locally governed agency devoted to providing hope and opportunity to all children between the ages of 6 and 18. With 23 Clubs in Austin, the organization helps more than 12,000 children each year (and more than 1,700 each day) grow into healthy responsible, caring young adults.
About HACA: The Housing Authority of the City of Austin is a public agency whose mission is to cultivate sustainable affordable housing communities and partnerships that inspire self reliance, growth and optimism. For more information, visit www.hacanet.org, or find us on Twitter @hacanet.
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