WALTHAM, Mass., April 6, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- A new
$5 million multi-year commitment from
Raytheon (NYSE: RTN) to Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA)
will provide enhanced technology centers and support for
after-school science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)
programming to children of military families.
Working in partnership, Raytheon and Boys & Girls Clubs of
America will establish 'Centers of Innovation' at BGCA-affiliated
Youth Centers on U.S. military installations. The Centers will
provide an inspiring backdrop for programming that focuses on
creative approaches to STEM. The effort is part of Raytheon's $10
million commitment to military veterans, personnel and family.
"The men and women who serve their country have sacrificed much
for our safety and freedom," Raytheon Chairman and CEO Thomas A. Kennedy said. "It is our
responsibility to show them our trust and respect by supporting
them and their families in achieving great futures."
Club youth at each Center of Innovation will work with Club
staff and Raytheon employee mentors to develop their skills and
critical thinking using real-world applications for STEM.
"Our STEM programs aim to complement the foundations of science
and math kids learn in school. This partnership with Raytheon will
further innovate Clubs with the tools and facilities that ignite
kids' passion for STEM," said Jim
Clark, president and CEO of BGCA. "For more than 20 years,
Boys & Girls Clubs have offered a safe, secure place for
military youth to help address the unique circumstances that they
have to navigate during their formative years. With Raytheon's
support, we'll be able to impact more of our military heroes' kids
to help them achieve great futures in areas of science, math or
wherever their interests take them."
BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on military installations aim to
bring consistency and continuity to the lives of military children.
On average, military families move six to nine times before their
children graduate high school – about three times more often than
civilian families. The Club atmosphere provides continuity for
military kids, whether living on or off a military base. Through
creative projects and evidence-based programming, students enhance
their understanding of STEM, strengthening skills in preparation
for college, military and civilian careers.
"Boys & Girls Clubs provide a necessary support structure to
military families," Kennedy said. "The Centers of Innovation will
help military children develop the STEM skills and innovative
spirit that the next generation of leaders will rely on to ensure
the prosperity of our economy and the security of our nation."
About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For more than
100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (GreatFutures.org) has
enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as
productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, more than 4,100
Clubs serve nearly 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, 57 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.
About Raytheon
Raytheon Company, with 2014 sales
of $23 billion and 61,000 employees worldwide, is a
technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, security
and civil markets throughout the world. With a history of
innovation spanning 93 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art
electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in
the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications
and intelligence systems, as well as cyber security and a broad
range of mission support services. Raytheon is headquartered
in Waltham, Mass. For more about Raytheon, visit us
at www.raytheon.com and follow us on
Twitter @raytheon.
Media Contact
Raytheon Company
Allison
Jeannotte
+1.781.522.5145
corporatepr@raytheon.com
Boys & Girls Clubs of America
Sara Leutzinger
404.487.5624
sleutzinger@bgca.org
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