DFK Fact Sheet

FACTS AT-A-GLANCE

Boys & Girls Clubs Day for Kids: September 12, 2009

 

 

BGC Day for Kids Event:              

Boys & Girls Clubs Day for Kids (BGC Day for Kids) is a major annual family event celebrating the value of meaningful time between parents, adults and children.  It will be celebrated this year on Saturday, Sept. 12 – with thousands of adults and kids participating in family friendly events at Boys & Girls Clubs and other locations nationwide.

 

Why was BGC Day forKids Created?                     

Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) created BGC Day for Kids to foster stronger relationships between dults and children by

educating them on the importance and value of spending meaningful time together. 

 

All families experience the pressures of contemporary life, regardless of economic status, ethnicity, cultural background or

location.  These pressures directly affect the amount of meaningful time they are able to devote to their children.  BGC Day for

Kids provides the opportunity for every adult to take a break, celebrate and renew their commitment to our nation’s children.

 

From academic failure and gang activity to poverty, drugs and violence, kids face a daunting array of problems – 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 BE GREAT, while protecting them from

the dangerous problems they face every day.  While September 12 is the official day created to bring attention to the messages

of Boys & Girls Clubs Day for Kids, in reality every day should be a day for kids. 

                                                                          

Impact of Meaningful Time        

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:

 

• The average high school graduation rate is 75 percent – and for Latino and African-American males, that rate drops to 50 percent.
• 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.
• Among children and teens, 16 percent, or nearly 9 million young people, are considered overweight.
• About one-third of African-American males will spend some time in jail or prison during their lives.

 

BGC Day for Kids Online:         

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 for the entire year.  Parents, mentors and caregivers are encouraged

to take the BGC Day for Kids pledge to reaffirm their commitment to helping kids BE GREAT.

 

Day for Kids Supporters:         

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.