Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee Receive Major Gift to Support Career Exploration and Career Facilitation Programming at The Ready Center

MILWAUKEE– (June 14, 2022) – Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee (BGCGM) is grateful to announce a generous gift of $300,000 from Milwaukee philanthropists Darren and Terry Jackson. The gift will support college access and career development programming at BGCGM’s newly opened The Ready Center.

“Career possibilities and pathways are accelerating in dynamic ways. So, providing opportunities to explore, engage and enable our young people to capitalize on these opportunities is vital to their future,” said Darren Jackson. “Terry and I believe in BGCGM and the mission of The Ready Center to provide a real advantage for Milwaukee’s teens to have access to meaningful careers in our local community.”

This gift will focus on three programming areas. The Graduation Plus program will focus on career exploration work that will guide students through future career possibilities. For Club scholars interested in a career in nursing, the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program will offer students opportunities to earn CNA certificates. And for students interested in receiving digital credentials, students will learn about careers in project management, data analytics, and I.T. desktop support.

“Darren and Terry’s gift will allow us to meaningfully implement and expand upon the strategies we have developed to address the needs of the teens and kids we serve,” said BGCGM President and CEO Kathy Thornton-Bias. “Milwaukee’s kids often lack access to technology, positive mentors, and guidance. This donation will enable our staff to reach more teens in a significant way.”

This gift is an investment in an expansion of the existing partnership between BGCGM and All-In Milwaukee (AIM). AIM is a program that provides financial aid, advising, and program and career support to high potential, limited income, diverse Milwaukee students to complete college. Collegian members will now participate in digital certification training, equipping potential future AIM scholars from BGCGM’s Graduation Plus Program with opportunities for career assessments through YouScience, exploration visits, and certifications. 325 students are currently supported by AIM as they enter and complete college. More than 125 of these students are from BGCGM. The goal is to help students build meaningful careers and ultimately transform the Milwaukee community.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee  
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee (BGCGM) is one of the largest and longest youth-serving agencies in Milwaukee and the largest Boys & Girls Club in the country. With more than 40 locations in the city of Milwaukee, BGCGM provides youth ages 4-18 with safe, fun, enriching after-school and summer programming including academic support, mentorship, organized athletics, arts, and nutritious meals. Our programs strengthen academic performance, build character, encourage healthy lifestyles, and meet the basic needs of Milwaukee’s youth. More than 80 percent of BGCGM’s annual budget goes toward youth programming. Learn more at www.bgcmilwaukee.org.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.