Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee Day for Kids Event Encourages Adults to "Not Act Their Age" by Spending Time with Kids
Pledge to Play Theme Encourages Adults to Go Out, Get Active and Spend Time with Youth
Nashville, TN, September 13, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee is gearing up to celebrate “Day for Kids,” (BGC Day for Kids) an annual event highlighting the importance of adults and children spending meaningful time together. This year, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) is asking adults to Pledge to Play by spending meaningful time with young people and engaging in active play. Boys & Girls Clubs Day for Kids will be celebrated with businesses, volunteers, parents and kids participating in different activities and events at all five Club site locations throughout Middle Tennessee.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee is hosting one of hundreds of Day for Kids events planned nationwide (all events are open to the public) and is aligned with the overall initiative to help young people become more active – ultimately establishing a sound foundation for success now and later. Play is great for young people. It fosters creativity, imagination exploration and helps kids develop and master various skills. Adults can take the Day for Kids pledge by visiting dayforkids.org.
While many Americans recognize the link between spending meaningful time with their kids and the tough issues facing young people, many don’t believe they have the time, skills or resources to do as much for their children as they feel they should. Through Day for Kids, Clubs across the country are urging every adult to play a part in ensuring a brighter future for our young people by getting involved and becoming more engaged in a young person’s life.
“Boys & Girls Clubs Day for Kids is focused on fostering stronger relationships between adults and children by emphasizing the importance of spending meaningful time together,” says Dan Jernigan, President/CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee. “Our hope is that our Day for Kids events will help facilitate open communication between parents, mentors and kids that will reenergize the community and help our young Davidson and Williamson County residents reach their full potential – not just today, but throughout the entire year.”
It’s no secret that America’s youth need our help; less positive, meaningful time spent with caring adults can have devastating affects on kids and teens. Consider these statistics:
-According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, less than one-third of high school youth meet the recommended levels of physical activity.
-The average high school graduation rate is 68.8 percent.
-Duke University’s Center for Child and Family Policy noted that 15-19 year-olds account for more than 20 percent of violent crimes in the United States; in 2005, 9.9 percent of youth aged 12-17 were current illicit drug users.
-3 out of 10 kids are overweight or obese
From academic failure and gang activity to poverty, drugs and violence, kids face a daunting array of obstacles daily – with serious consequences and fewer safety nets at home and in the community. BGC Day for Kids is one small step in rebuilding “villages” in our neighborhoods; providing young people with the skills and motivation they need to have great futures, while protecting them from the dangerous problems they face every day.
Regardless of background, there are no boundaries to the potential of every child. In the same way, there are no limits to the many ways in which to spend meaningful time with a young person. To assist parents, practitioners and other caring adults, BGCA has created engaging educational resources to help them encourage and develop positive relationships with kids. A year-round web site, www.dayforkids.org, provides tools, resources and tips that support their interactions with young people. The site also features a Day for Kids Pledge where adults can re-affirm their commitment to helping change a child’s life.
Boys & Girls Clubs of America leads the national campaign with support from several non-profit partners, including America’s Promise, Association of Children’s Museums, Association for Library Services to Children, Communities in Schools, Easter Seals, Kids Sports Network, National AfterSchool Association, National Wildlife Federation, Save the Children, The Home Safety Council and Youth Service America.
Located at five Club site locations throughout Davidson and Williamson Counties, Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee programs offer unlimited opportunities for over 2,000 boys and girls each year ranging in age from 5-18. Young people interested in joining a Club, learning more about BGC Day for Kids or any other of BGCMT's youth programs are invited to visit: www.bgcmt.org for more information.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee
For 109 years, serving as one of the original Boys & Girls Club organizations in the country, Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee exist to provide boys and girls ages 5 to 18 with a safe, nurturing place to learn, grow and succeed. The Clubs, which have become a total life center for many at-risk youth, offer five nationally recognized programs - Character & Leadership Development, Education & Career Development, Health & Life Skills, The Arts & Sports & Recreation. Serving over 2,500 youth per year, Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee has five locations in Davidson and Williamson counties and are a proud part of the national Boys & Girls Clubs of America organization. Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee is a 501(c)(3) non-profit agency which offers services without discrimination of any kind. For more information, please visit: www.bgcmt.org or www.facebook.com/GreatFuturesStartHere
Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee is hosting one of hundreds of Day for Kids events planned nationwide (all events are open to the public) and is aligned with the overall initiative to help young people become more active – ultimately establishing a sound foundation for success now and later. Play is great for young people. It fosters creativity, imagination exploration and helps kids develop and master various skills. Adults can take the Day for Kids pledge by visiting dayforkids.org.
While many Americans recognize the link between spending meaningful time with their kids and the tough issues facing young people, many don’t believe they have the time, skills or resources to do as much for their children as they feel they should. Through Day for Kids, Clubs across the country are urging every adult to play a part in ensuring a brighter future for our young people by getting involved and becoming more engaged in a young person’s life.
“Boys & Girls Clubs Day for Kids is focused on fostering stronger relationships between adults and children by emphasizing the importance of spending meaningful time together,” says Dan Jernigan, President/CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee. “Our hope is that our Day for Kids events will help facilitate open communication between parents, mentors and kids that will reenergize the community and help our young Davidson and Williamson County residents reach their full potential – not just today, but throughout the entire year.”
It’s no secret that America’s youth need our help; less positive, meaningful time spent with caring adults can have devastating affects on kids and teens. Consider these statistics:
-According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, less than one-third of high school youth meet the recommended levels of physical activity.
-The average high school graduation rate is 68.8 percent.
-Duke University’s Center for Child and Family Policy noted that 15-19 year-olds account for more than 20 percent of violent crimes in the United States; in 2005, 9.9 percent of youth aged 12-17 were current illicit drug users.
-3 out of 10 kids are overweight or obese
From academic failure and gang activity to poverty, drugs and violence, kids face a daunting array of obstacles daily – with serious consequences and fewer safety nets at home and in the community. BGC Day for Kids is one small step in rebuilding “villages” in our neighborhoods; providing young people with the skills and motivation they need to have great futures, while protecting them from the dangerous problems they face every day.
Regardless of background, there are no boundaries to the potential of every child. In the same way, there are no limits to the many ways in which to spend meaningful time with a young person. To assist parents, practitioners and other caring adults, BGCA has created engaging educational resources to help them encourage and develop positive relationships with kids. A year-round web site, www.dayforkids.org, provides tools, resources and tips that support their interactions with young people. The site also features a Day for Kids Pledge where adults can re-affirm their commitment to helping change a child’s life.
Boys & Girls Clubs of America leads the national campaign with support from several non-profit partners, including America’s Promise, Association of Children’s Museums, Association for Library Services to Children, Communities in Schools, Easter Seals, Kids Sports Network, National AfterSchool Association, National Wildlife Federation, Save the Children, The Home Safety Council and Youth Service America.
Located at five Club site locations throughout Davidson and Williamson Counties, Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee programs offer unlimited opportunities for over 2,000 boys and girls each year ranging in age from 5-18. Young people interested in joining a Club, learning more about BGC Day for Kids or any other of BGCMT's youth programs are invited to visit: www.bgcmt.org for more information.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee
For 109 years, serving as one of the original Boys & Girls Club organizations in the country, Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee exist to provide boys and girls ages 5 to 18 with a safe, nurturing place to learn, grow and succeed. The Clubs, which have become a total life center for many at-risk youth, offer five nationally recognized programs - Character & Leadership Development, Education & Career Development, Health & Life Skills, The Arts & Sports & Recreation. Serving over 2,500 youth per year, Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee has five locations in Davidson and Williamson counties and are a proud part of the national Boys & Girls Clubs of America organization. Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee is a 501(c)(3) non-profit agency which offers services without discrimination of any kind. For more information, please visit: www.bgcmt.org or www.facebook.com/GreatFuturesStartHere
Contact
Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee
Julia Burton Elrod
615.983.6842
www.bgcmt.org
Julia Burton Elrod
615.983.6842
www.bgcmt.org
Contact
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