About our Partners   

Boys and Girls Clubs of America, as part of a partnership with the J.C.Penney after-school program, is implementing its national education program, "Project Learn," during the next three years in clubs across the country. Designed to enable youths to become high-achieving students through their involvement in club activities and programs, Project Learn features: homework help and tutoring; high-yield learning activities intended to be fun and engaging; parent and community involvement; collaboration with schools; and incentives and academic goal setting. Established in 1860, Boys and Girls Clubs of America inspire and enable young people to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. Boys and Girls Clubs serve more than 3.5 million youths annually in 2,850 clubs nationwide. For more information, visit www.bgca.org, or call 1-800-854-CLUB (1-800-854-2582).

Committee on Public Education and Literacy of the National Council of Churches works to educate its member denominations on issues in education and ways they can effectively collaborate with public schools. Recently, the committee sponsored a meeting for Washington-based organizations interested in education policy and funding issues. "The discussion reflected a renewed interest in how faith-based agencies can encourage support for our schools," observed committee member Rev. Dave Brown. The committee also just released its latest publication, It's About Children! as a resource for congregations to use in encouraging their members' support for public schools. For more information, contact Rev. Dave Brown at 35006 Thirteenth Place, S.W., Federal Way, WA 90823 or dbrown7086@aol.com.

Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc. (PNBC) will host its summer "Youth Rally," which will include professional athletes, scholars and community leaders motivating children to achieve their dreams. The rally, scheduled for Aug. 7 at the Tampa Convention Center in Florida, will feature workshops on career and educational development, including a session on scholarship sources. In addition, parents will be invited for discussions of ways they can become more involved in their children's education. Formed in 1961, PNBC comprises more than 1,800 churches in 34 states nationwide and partners with other faith-based and community organizations to help improve educational opportunities for children. For more information, visit www.pnbc.org, or call 202-396-0558.

Public Private Ventures (P/PV), based in Philadelphia, has been working since 1978 conducting research and demonstrations in search of useful solutions to the common problems of urban America. Through faith-based and community partnerships, P/PV established literacy centers called "Youth Education for Tomorrow" (YET) centers for children and young adults at least two years behind their grade level. By November 2000, 21 centers were in operation, each primarily serving 15 to 50 elementary school children. Joseph Tierney, who is responsible for the project at P/PV, said, "The YET centers are not only helping their children learn to read, but are helping this diverse set of faith-based institutions synthesize their practical and spiritual missions." Currently, P/PV is working on opening 10 additional centers. For more information, visit www.ppv.org, or call 215-557-4400.

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Last updated—February 4, 2003 (pjh)