Boys & Girls Clubs in Houston Reopen, Giving Area Families Support They Need to Rebuild

HOUSTON, Sept. 12, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Boys & Girls Clubs of America's President and CEO Jim Clark visited the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston yesterday, September 11th, on the national day of service and remembrance, to see damage from Hurricane Harvey and provide additional support for local Clubs. More than 157 Clubs from Texas to Louisiana were in the direct path of the storm. The visit Monday with Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston's CEO Kevin Hattery, showed some of the flooding and damaged areas of local Clubs, as well as heroic acts of kindness from Boys & Girls Clubs around the county to support local kids and families. 

Boys & Girls Clubs are committed to meeting the needs of kids and teens in their communities at all times, and especially in moments of crisis. Many facilities in Houston and surrounding areas have suffered damage that may take months to repair. However, 11 Clubs with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston are open, offering a lifeline for many families to rebuild, while their kids and teens have a positive, safe place to go. 

"The damage from Hurricane Harvey is devastating, but through this horrific storm we've seen inspiring stories from Boys & Girls Clubs across the country to support these efforts," said Jim Clark, president & CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. "From Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County's massive donations, to Clubs in Austin and San Antonio coordinating recovery efforts and supplies – these selfless acts are a true testament to the values of our organization and the incredible kids and youth development professionals that run local Boys & Girls Clubs across the country. We're truly inspired, and there is much more work to be done." 

Staff from Boys & Girls Clubs of America's headquarters as well as local Clubs from around the country have poured in to hurricane impacted areas over the last few days to lend a hand bringing supplies, facilitating needs at local Clubs and beginning the rebuilding process. 

National corporate partners have also generously donated to the cause including Build-A-Bear Workshop, Choice Hotels, Finish Line Youth Foundation, Lenovo, Old Navy and Samsung Electronics America. Boys & Girls Clubs of America is also donating three new Toyota Sienna vans to Boys & Girls Clubs of El Campo, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Salvation Army of Texas and Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston as part of the rebuilding process, thanks to support from Toyota. The vans were donated as part of Boys & Girls Clubs of America's Back2School campaign, which is supported by Comcast and other partners nationwide. 

"Although the damage from Hurricane Harvey is vast in our communities, we are proud to be a safe haven for children and teens whose families have experienced significant loss," said Kevin Hattery, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston. "On behalf of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston, we are grateful for the generosity, thoughts and prayers from our Boys & Girls Club partners and from supporters across the country. We are inspired and uplifted by everyone who has sent us both warm wishes and donations that will help our youth and their families recover and rebuild." 

"Hurricane Harvey was devastating for the Gulf Coast of Texas, but while we've been temporarily knocked down, organizations and civilians across the country have stepped up to help us in our time of need," said U.S. Congressman John Culberson (7^th District of Texas). "The work that Boys & Girls Clubs has done over the last two weeks is so important to get our young Texans and their families back to normal as quickly as possible. I'm so grateful for their leadership in Houston as we rebuild our city."

Boys & Girls Clubs are providing support to communities in Hurricane impacted areas now and over the coming months. To learn how you can support, please go to https://www.bgca.org/disasterrelief. Follow #BGCCares on social media to see how others are supporting these efforts and the role Boys & Girls Clubs play in helping families recover. 

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For more than 150 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (bgca.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, 4,300 Clubs serve 4 million young people annually through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. They provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun, friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Priority programs emphasize academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 54 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more at http://www.bgca.org/facebook and http://bgca.org/twitter.

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SOURCE Boys & Girls Clubs of America