The Burlington Northern Santa Fe Foundation, on behalf of BNSF Railway Company, announced a $500,000, five-year commitment to Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) to support four Native American Clubs located on tribal lands in Montana and Minnesota.
The announcement benefiting Club members on the Crow, Rocky Boy, and Fort Peck reservations, all located in Montana, was made in Governor Brian Schweitzer's office this morning.
In commenting on the announcement, Governor Brian Schweitzer said, "Boys & Girls Clubs offer kids a caring, supportive place. Helping them stay in school and make healthy choices gives them hope for a brighter future."
BGCA first began working to help Native American children in 1992, with a promise to open 100 Clubs. Today, some 189 Clubs serve more than 100,000 Native American youth across the country. The purpose is to provide a focus for Native American children and youth, showing them opportunities and a reason to anticipate a more positive future.
"Over the last thirteen years of working with Native American youth we have been inspired by their desire to make positive changes that will improve their opportunity to succeed in life," said Roxanne Spillett, president of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. "We are grateful to BNSF for their financial commitment to make this a reality."
These Native American Clubs are located in communities that lack infrastructure to help some of America's most disadvantaged children, facing rates of teen pregnancy and alcoholism that are more than double those found elsewhere in the United States.
In addition to the three Clubs in Montana, one in the Leech Lake Area, Cass Lake, Minnesota, will receive funding. All of these Clubs are located in communities served by BNSF Railway.
"e have had a long-standing mission supported by BNSF Foundation grants to help disadvantaged children and youth believe that their lives can change. Through our support of BGCA in other communities, where BNSF employees work and live, we have seen the results from several of their key programs," said Maurice Plott, BNSF general manager, Montana Division.
Beginning in 2005 and continuing through 2009, BGCA will distribute a total of $50,000, $12,500 each, to the four Native American Clubs on behalf of BNSF. The remaining $50,000 will form a restricted fund to assist these same Clubs starting in 2010.
The funds will be used to support two of the most effective programs developed by BGCA: SMART Moves and Project Learn.
These programs have been adapted to the specific needs of these Native American Clubs with respective to cultural sensitivity and any communications challenges. SMART Moves equips young people with the necessary skills to resist alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.
Project Learn is an education strategy that uses high-yield learning activities such as journal writing, cooking classes and athletic competition to help youngsters understand the relevance of an education, sparking a life-long love of learning. The ultimate goal is to "level the playing field" for Native American youth, offering them hope and opportunity for a successful future.
Further, each Club will build a support network of cooperating individuals -- parent, teachers, peers in the Club, representatives from community governing bodies and existing community services -- to provide mentoring help with these education and health programs.
