BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF TAMPA BAY EARNS $165,000 IN COMMUNITY INVESTMENT FUNDING FROM UNITED WAY SUNCOAST

TAMPA – The number of Hillsborough and Pasco County teens envisioning a brighter future will continue to grow thanks to the Boys & Girls Club of Tampa Bay, Think Big For Kids, Inc. and an infusion of support from United Way Suncoast.

United Way Suncoast will grant Boys & Girls Club and Think Big $165,000 to continue its collaborative effort to introduce students ages 12-18 to exciting career opportunities, provide mentorship and assist them in achieving post-graduation goals.

Think Big for Kids, Inc. has been a partner with BGCTB for nearly five years, serving to provide our kids with career path development, mentorship, workforce readiness and post-graduation planning. Through the implementation of evidence-based programs and practices, mentorships and coordination with schools, regularly participating Boys & Girls Club youth have shown exponential gains in all targeted areas of development.

“We at Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay are so proud and grateful for our continued partnership with United Way Suncoast,” said Terry Carter, President & CEO. “The funding from this Community Initiative Fund will allow us to continue to dedicate our time, staff and resources to helping kids with learning loss and closing the opportunity gap.  Most importantly, though, it will help to lead us towards our ultimate goal, which is always to serve more kids.”

Despite setbacks created by the pandemic, Think Big resumed career readiness education workshops and career showcases in a virtual format in the fall of 2020. Moving forward, it will look to grow the effort through an expansion of the Youth Employment Services (YES) program

The Boys & Girls Club of Tampa Bay’s lasting community impact aligns with United Way’s priorities. As households continue to grapple with the financial fallout of the pandemic and parents strive to navigate a challenging educational year, United Way Suncoast has stepped up with a $6.05 million boost to 77 area nonprofits for the 2022 fiscal year.

UWS continues its 97-year mission of lifting up the community by sustaining its focus on four priority areas: early learning, youth success, financial stability and asset development. The investment extends to all five counties in UWS’ region – DeSoto, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pinellas and Sarasota – and underscores the organization’s long-time commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

“We are proud to support high-impact programs that will do so much good across our region,” said United Way Suncoast CEO Jessica Muroff. “As we look to emerge from the pandemic and strengthen our commitment to diversity, equality, and inclusion with a new strategic vision, it’s never been more important to advocate for our community. Through our partnerships and expertise, we will continue to create bold solutions to our biggest challenges – uplifting lives and achieving equity for generations to come.”

For the second consecutive year, the organization convened a group of dedicated volunteers who conducted a thoughtful and thorough job in choosing the nonprofits. The allocation, an increase of more than $400,000 from the 2020 allocation, will impact nearly 150,000 people in UWS’ five-county region. UWS also raised and distributed $1.9 million for pandemic relief over a six-week period in 2020.

Each grant will fund specific programs that support the interconnected priority areas and help ALICE (Asset, Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) families who stand just one unexpected expense from enduring hardship.

About Boys & Girls Club of Tampa Bay

Since 1926, Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay has aimed to enable and inspire all young people realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. As one of the oldest youth development agencies in the state of Florida, Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay has set precedence serving youth most in need in the areas of academic success, healthy lifestyles, good character, citizenship and career/college readiness.

About United Way Suncoast

United Way Suncoast severs the constraints that prevent families from thriving. We dismantle the barriers to human prosperity, uniting our community along the way. When we provide pathways to early learning, financial stability and youth success, we lift up families as they cultivate a future beyond circumstantial constraints. We provide choices. We provide opportunities. We create space for families to grow without limitations, elevating communities by building a future with equity for all. We are proud to serve the people of DeSoto, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pinellas and Sarasota counties by operating and funding services and programs to help our community have the Freedom To Rise.