I first heard of the Boys & Girls Club when I was in elementary school. Many of my peers had parents who were not home to pick them up after school and arranged for the kids to go to after school programs at the Boys and Girls club. I was jealous- my friends participated in activities, made new friends, and even had homework help. At the time I thought that I was at an unfair advantage by having someone at home waiting for me, thus not allowing me a situation in which I could attend one of these facilities! Now I know that the Boys and Girls club keeps kids safe during times that a parent may not be available.
Let’s face it- parents are working longer hours and having a mom waiting for you at home just isn’t the way of life anymore. Both parents in a household are usually working, and children need a safe environment to go when no one is available for them after school. Now that I am a parent I can appreciate that when I go back to teaching, my kids will have a place to go in the event I can’t arrange childcare for them after school.
The BGCA has partnered with jcpenney and launched their ‘jcpenney cares round up campaign where jcpenney will donate to these centers every time you make a purchase! Jcpenney will round up each purchase made in July to the nearest whole dollar.
You can make a difference in supporting the BGCA after school programs across the country. This is the perfect time to get all your back to school shopping completed at jcpenney, and while you are doing that you will also be making a difference by supporting the much needed initiative of the Boys and Girls clubs of America!