2. Did you know there is a way to positively touch the lives of 6,000 children in the Rogue Valley? Did you know there is a organization that believes all children are GREAT?

3. BE GREAT - an idea which communicates that within every child there is the potential for greatness and all of us play a vital role in helping young people find and achieve their dreams.

4. Four locations – Grants Pass, Illinois Valley, Talent, and White City. Focus on 5 core areas - art, education, leadership, health and life skills, and social and physical recreation. Clubhouses are equipped with game rooms, computer centers, arts and craft areas, performing arts rooms, classrooms, kitchens, and basketball courts

5. After school program available for no charge to members Important because they help students become more involved in school work Improved socialization skills – how to make friends, work well in groups, cooperate with others

6. According to a study that focused on after school programs, “children who attended after-school programs more frequently developed better work habits in their school classrooms, attended school more often, and endorsed less aggressive strategies to resolve conflicts with peers.” (Shumow, 2001).

7. Offers young people the opportunity to develop team work, leadership, and life skills while building self esteem. Skills learned in childhood transfer into adulthood and benefit that individual personally and professionally. Club sports provide everyone a chance to participate, have equal playing time in games and practice, and the opportunity to improve their sports skills. Provide life long benefits such as improved health, flexibility, and confidence.

8. Teach kids the importance of physical fitness and taking care of one’s body. Children that care about their bodies are less likely to do things that would harm them, such as smoking cigarettes, drinking, or taking drugs. Encourages students to eat nutritiously and get adequate exercise Learn social and interpersonal skills, hard work, and persistence.

9. Learn the importance of setting goals and working toward those goals Positive academic benefits Students who participate in sports perform better in the classroom

10. Provides Josephine County with an alternative middle school. Works closely with the Grants Pass School District Students must be referred by their school district. Designed to help middle school children that have had problems in the public school system.

11. Small classroom environment Receive basic instruction in math, reading, social studies, language arts, science, and physical education According to their website, the ALC provides “individual instruction, incentives to participate and succeed, and flexibility with personal challenges enabling students to have a successful middle school experience”.

12. After school program, organized sports, and alternative learning center benefit the community as a whole. The Boys and Girls Clubs help kids build self- esteem and learn to make the right choices. Enable all young people the opportunity to become productive, caring, and responsible citizens.

13. Boys and Girls Clubs of the Rogue Valley (n.d.). Retrieved from http://bgcrv.com/ http://bgcrv.com/ Shumow, L. (2001). Academic Effects of After-School Programs. Retrieved from http://www.ericdigests.org/2002-2/after.htmhttp://www.ericdigests.org/2002-2/after.htm