LEARN
Crises Among Young People
In small towns and metropolitan areas across America, our youth are struggling to create a bright future. Violence, substance abuse, low fitness levels and high dropout rates are impairing our children’s ability to succeed. Crime, drug and alcohol use are among the most serious problems affecting America's young people.
In 2006, according to Monitoring the Future, nearly three-fourths of students reported they had consumed alcohol by the end of high school and 41 percent reported they had done so by the end of 8th grade. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) also reports that the United States loses 15 young people each day to gun-related violence.
Another obstacle for our young people is the high dropout rate in America. In 2006 alone, 1.2 million teenagers did not graduate on time from public high school in the United States – that's 30 percent of the class of 2006. The number increases to an astonishing 50 percent among some minorities. According to a survey by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (1.1MB PDF), 88 percent of those surveyed (ages 16-25 in 25 urban, rural and suburban communities nationwide) had passing grades when they dropped out of school and 91 percent of those dropouts said they knew that graduating was vital to their future success.
Obesity and lack of physical fitness is also a serious issue affecting today's youth. According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control, 31.9 percent of youth in the United States, ages 2 through 19, are considered obese or overweight. This figure has nearly tripled in the last 30 years. According to a recent survey, only 35.8% of students (1.1MB PDF) are physically active for 60 minutes or more per day five times during the week at a level which increased their heart rate – the currently recommended fitness level.
This lack of physical fitness and abundance of obesity means that these young people are at risk for heart disease, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Type 2 diabetes has also increased dramatically in teens as a direct result of adolescent obesity.
These issues concern all of our children, but for some ethnic groups, the future is even more grim. A study by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (1.1MB PDF) reports "nearly one half of all blacks, Hispanics and Native Americans fail to graduate from public high school with their class. Many of these students abandon school with less than two years to complete their high school education."
These numbers are not limited to graduation rates. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, blacks were almost three times more likely than Hispanics and five times more likely than whites to be incarcerated.
CARE
Solutions and Answers
The crises affecting our children impact every community within our nation. While these statistics regarding our youth are alarming, there is hope.
A recent survey conducted by Harris Interactive cites the experiences of Boys & Girls Club alumni as living proof of the hope Boys & Girls Clubs offer. The alumni survey reveals some 67 percent of Club alumni attribute their ability to avoid difficulty with the law to the influence of Club staff, and 67 percent also say the Club is where they learned how to "say no" to drugs and alcohol.
Also noted in the survey, some 28 percent of respondents report they would have dropped out of high school if not for the Club. Another 51 percent achieved a higher level of education than they thought possible because of attending their Club.
Of the alumni surveyed, 80 percent said that their Club experience made a positive impact on their attitude toward fitness and health, with 74 percent participating in organized sports.
While many African-American youth are struggling to succeed, some 73 percent of African-American male Club alumni said the "Club saved my life." Most impressive – 34 percent of African-American Boys & Girls Club male alumni earned a four-year college degree, compared to the national rate of only 16 percent.
While so many of our nation's young people are dropping out of high school, succumbing to drugs/alcohol or losing the fight against poor nutrition and/or exercise, many Boys & Girls Club alumni thrive. In fact, they are Living Proof that Clubs work. Learn why here. (6.8MB PDF)
ACT
Make A Difference
Each of us can help improve the bleak future many American children face. We can support local service organizations within our own communities. Working with community partners, these service organizations, like Boys & Girls Clubs, can provide the guidance and direction young people so desperately need.
On October 19, 2007, Boys & Girls Clubs of America revealed to the nation their five-year strategic plan, Impact 2012, identifying several strategic priorities, the most important being the deepening of positive impact on young lives through:
- Increased overall daily attendance, and increased frequency of attendance for each Club member;
- Emphasis on outcome measurement of success indicators, including academic achievement, juvenile crime reduction and level of civic engagement;
- Outreach to more young people and families most in need;
- Special emphasis on serving the needs of teens;
- Strengthening of local Clubs through enhanced training and development of professional youth development staff;
- Establishment of new Clubs in communities where the needs are greatest, reaching a total of 5,000 local service locations by 2012.
By supporting Boys & Girls Clubs, you can strengthen our ability to serve the children that need us most. Consider donating to Boys & Girls Clubs of America to create a positive place for youth to learn and grow.
You can also make a difference with a child in your life through these time-proven resources.
Boys & Girls Club alumni say it best: "The Club saved my life." Change the life of a child by acting now. Our alumni are living proof that Clubs work.
To learn more, please visit http://www.bgca.org