{"id":36492,"date":"2023-09-01T03:08:00","date_gmt":"2023-09-01T10:08:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.yardi.com\/blog\/?p=36492"},"modified":"2023-09-06T12:16:19","modified_gmt":"2023-09-06T19:16:19","slug":"boys-and-girls-club","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.yardi.com\/blog\/boys-and-girls-club\/","title":{"rendered":"Boys and Girls Club"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Let\u2019s journey to the Midwest and introduce you to the Boys and Girls Club of Northeast Ohio<\/a> (BGCNEO), founded in 2019, creating the nation’s largest Boys and Girls Club. The club provides a safe and fun place for kids ages six-18 to go after school, focusing on academic success, healthy lifestyles and leadership. There is no charge to join. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kids can come after school when parents are typically still at work, giving them peace of mind knowing their children are in good hands. \u00a0A typical day at BGCNEO starts with \u201cpower hour,\u201d which includes getting help with homework followed up with recreation, arts, music and a free meal.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Yardi<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

BGCNEO plans to double the number of kids by 2025 and hopes to deepen the impact of programs and strengthen connections to club neighborhoods. Funding from Yardi helps provide world-class programs for kids and expands its reach across Northeast Ohio. The support allows kids to experience various opportunities, from music performances to career-readiness programming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are extremely grateful for this support. Yardi has been supporting our Clubs for a decade now. We couldn\u2019t do our work if it weren\u2019t for our amazing partners and corporate supporters like Yardi,\u201d says Ken Wood, director of communications for BGCNEO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On behalf of the Yardi Cleveland charity committee, Suzy Scherer, senior technology manager for revenue IQ, speaks about BGCNEO, \u201cKnowing these kids get a place to be kids and have an activity\/learning-based center that promotes positive change is so amazing!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Boys & Girls Clubs are suitable investments. A University of Michigan study found that for every dollar invested in a Club, $9.60 in benefits are returned to the community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn a Harris alumni survey, 54% of the respondents said the club \u2018saved my life,\u2019\u201d Wood said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Richard Starr\u2019s Story<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Richard Starr grew up in one of Cleveland\u2019s toughest neighborhoods. He could have quickly gone down the wrong path if he hadn\u2019t walked into his local Boys & Girls Club. There, he found fun activities, structure and the male role models that had been missing from his life. After joining the Club, Starr thrived in sports and the classroom at his high school. He was named Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year for Ohio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A few years later, he became the director of the club he credits with saving his life. In 2021, Starr was elected to Cleveland City Council to represent the neighborhood where he grew up and still lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Volunteer Opportunities<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

BGCNEO has several opportunities for groups and individuals to volunteer with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n