Community Spotlight: Local Teens to Benefit from Grants to Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee

Sixty teen members of Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County (BGCMC) will benefit from a $20,100 grant awarded by the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens. The funds will support BGCMC’s Career Camp programming at Southeast High School and Harllee Middle School. Career Camp gives teens an understanding of the skills required to enter the workforce and inspires them to graduate high school and reach their full potential.

“The Taco Bell Foundation for Teen’s generous support makes a meaningful impact on the lives of our Manatee County teens,” said Valerie Bliss Nelson, vice president of development for Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County. “It’s because of partnerships like this that we are able to offer the academic, career, and mentorship experiences  that inspire our teen members to stay committed to earning their high school degree and move onto great things in life.”

Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County is one of more than 300 teen-serving organizations nationwide to receive a portion of $3 million granted by the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens this year.

“Today’s teens are tomorrow’s leaders, and they need the support of every community, business and elected official in order to succeed,” said Regina Borda, managing director of the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens. “We are proud to support Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County and other like-minded community organizations that empower teens to live más and graduate from high school.”

Throughout its 20-year history, the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens has awarded more than $42 million in grants and scholarships through the ongoing support of its customers, employees, vendor partners and franchisees.

The Foundation also offers core programs, including Graduate for Más™,  that motivate teens to stay in school and provide job training to help them identify career opportunities and interests.

About Taco Bell Foundation for Teens

The Taco Bell Foundation Inc., also known as Taco Bell Foundation for Teens, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation, is committed to inspiring and enabling America’s teens to achieve más through its programs, partnerships, and direct financial assistance. Every year, the Foundation serves more than 100,000 teens in more than 180 communities across the country and awards more than 300 grants  and scholarships annually focused on education and career preparedness. Since 1992, we’ve awarded more than $42 million to support more than 1,000 teen-serving organizations in the U.S. with the help of ongoing customer, franchisee, employee and vendor partner donations. For more information visit tacobellforteens.org, and find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TacoBellforTeens.

About Boys & Girls Club of Manatee County

Open the door and take a tour of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County. The Clubs serve over 6,000 young people at seven locations (Daughtrey Elementary School, Orange Ridge-Bullock Elementary School, Harllee Middle School, Lincoln Memorial Middle School, Southeast High School and the DeSoto and Palmetto Clubs). For more information or to arrange a tour, call 761-2582 or visit www.bgcmanatee.org.