Jan-30

Youth Get a Boost from a Local Baseball Legend Barry Bonds to Achieve Great Futures

POSTED BY: Barry Bonds in FOUNDATION

MENLO PARK, Calif., January 28, 2013 — The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Peninsula (BGCP), providing a safe-haven for 1,700 youth at 11 locations in east Menlo Park, east Redwood City and East Palo Alto, today was awarded a $10,000 grant from the Barry Bonds Family Foundation to support after-school academic and enrichment programs for underserved students from kindergarten through 12th grade.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Peninsula’s Executive Director Peter Fortenbaugh, explains, “Even in the heart of Silicon Valley, we are facing a high school dropout crisis. BGCP depends on philanthropic support from donors, like the Barry Bonds Family Foundation, to offer at-risk youth the opportunities they need to thrive and achieve and beat the odds in their neighborhoods. With the right kind of support, our members can and do develop the academic and life-skills they need to complete high school ready for college and career.”
Barry Bonds, who was raised in San Carlos, knows first-hand what it takes for youth to find a path to a better future. “The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Peninsula were an integral part of my community while growing up in San Carlos. With their focus on after-school programs that enhance, enrich and support educational experiences, they are vital to the future of our community. I am pleased to be a small part of their dedicated and ongoing efforts,” said Bonds.

The Barry Bonds Family Foundation is a private foundation founded in 1993 by former San Francisco Giants Major League Baseball Player and seven-time MVP, Barry Bonds and his father Bobby Bonds. Based in the heart of Silicon Valley, the foundation’s mission is to serve as a catalyst for innovation in the areas of primary and secondary education and youth after-school support programs within low-income communities – both in the San Francisco Bay area and throughout the nation. The foundation uses the principles of “venture philanthropy” to encourage, promote and fund programs designed to improve the achievements, standard of living and quality of life conditions for those who have been left behind. Through signature programs such as Link ‘N Learn the foundation has partnered with community leaders to implement technology-based solutions driven by benchmarks and measurable results.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Peninsula provides a safe-haven where 1,700 active members aged 6-18 find community and support year-round. At each of the Club’s eleven sites located in the most challenged areas of Menlo Park, East Palo Alto and Redwood City, California, trained and caring staff and a cadre of volunteers offer a broad range of school day, after-school and summer programs to guide and inspire youth to develop the academic and life skills they need to complete high school ready for college and career. BGCP’s vision is for all youth on the Peninsula to become self-sufficient adults. BGCP offers programs that focus on School Support and College Readiness, Job Readiness and Career Pathways, Leadership and Community Service, Visual and Performing Arts, Athletics and Fitness, and Health and Life Skills. Many of these programs are offered in partnership with local schools, families, government, corporations and other community organizations.

Source:

By Boys and Girls Club of The Peninsula | January 30th, 2013 

http://www.bgcp.org/youth-get-a-boost-from-a-local-baseball-legend-barry-bonds-to-achieve-great-futures/