Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix and University of Phoenix Host Celebration Events

Participants of national education initiative honored for success in school

(Phoenix, AZ May 23, 2013) – Young people at Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix are on the path to a successful future thanks to their participation in BE GREAT: Graduate, a national education initiative sponsored by University of Phoenix Foundation. On May 15 and 17, Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix held special celebrations for 19 youth who are on the path to academic success and recognized their volunteer mentors. On May 30, 12 more students will be honored for collectively moving from failing to passing grades. Three of 10 kids in the United States fail to graduate each year; through the BE GREAT: Graduate program, Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix is ensuring Valley youth are on the right track to graduate
high school. The BE GREAT: Graduate program, part of a national partnership between University of Phoenix Foundation and Boys & Girls Clubs of America, helps young people who are the most vulnerable for dropping out of school to develop the academic, behavioral and social skills needed to be successful. Boys & Girls Clubs members are 25% more likely to graduate. “BE GREAT: Graduate gives youth the resources they need to succeed in school, including a dedicated graduation mentor for each student,” said Amy Gibbons, President and Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix. “Thanks to the generous support of University of Phoenix Foundation, we are providing members with the opportunity they need to achieve academic success and a great future.”

Selected participants often show the early warning signs of dropping out – also known as the ABC’s – attendance, behavior and course failure. The program allows each participant to receive a graduation mentor to provide coaching and tutoring for academic success.

For more information on mentoring a child in BE GREAT: Graduate, visit www.bgcaz.org/volunteer.

###