SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., March 26, 2002 — Microsoft Corp. and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America (B & GCA) today announced the continued expansion of their Club Tech initiative, with the rollout of approximately 30 Club Tech centers throughout the state of Arizona that will provide technology access to children and teens. As part of this announcement, Microsoft President and Chief Operating Officer Rick Belluzzo and Bill Regehr, senior vice president of IT for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, were joined by U.S. Sen. John McCain and other state and local leaders in a visit to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Scottsdale Hartley & Ruth Barker Branch, where they discussed with club members and executives the various projects and programs that have been enabled through Club Tech.
“Microsoft and Boys & Girls Clubs of America share a passion for empowering people and communities to discover a better future through technology access,”
Belluzzo said.
“Thanks to Club Tech, we have a great opportunity to realize this vision of providing kids of all ages and circumstances with the resources and skills they need to realize their potential. With more than 520 Club Techs already operating across the United States, and more than 30 Club Techs now in Arizona, were making great strides toward reaching this goal.”
McCain, who is scheduled to attend the celebration in Scottsdale, is very committed to helping serve the youth of today to build the leaders of tomorrow.
“If young people are going to be prepared for the world and the workplace, it is essential that children of all backgrounds are given the technical experience and training necessary to succeed,”
McCain said.
“The Club Tech program is a great way to provide this kind of access and mentoring to the kids that need it most. Both Microsoft and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America are to be commended for their efforts.”
Club Tech is a joint program of Microsoft and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America designed to bring technology access and education to more than 3.5 million children and teens, and more than 3,000 Boys & Girls Clubs across the country, many in underserved communities.
With Club Techs now opening in Avondale (one), Bullhead City (one), Chandler (one), Cottonwood (one), Gilbert (one), Glendale (one), Guadalupe (one), Mesa (two), Nogales (one), Peoria (one), Phoenix (two), Prescott Valley (one), Safford (one), Scanton (one), Scottsdale (three), Sedona (two), Tempe (two), Tucson (four), and Yuma (one) — along with the recent launch of approximately 70 new Club Techs throughout the greater Boston area and the state of Florida — this announcement represents a huge leap forward in the overall initiative. Originally announced in December 2000, Club Tech is a five-year, $100 million program aimed at providing software and developing and delivering curriculum, program management and computer training for club staff and members.
“We know that when kids continue learning outside the classroom, they retain more of what they learn in school,”
said Soilo Felix, manager of education and technology for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Scottsdale.
“Club Tech gives our staff the tools to keep kids learning during the nonschool hours and ensures that every child has access to the technology necessary for their future success, regardless of their economic circumstance.”
Creating Digital Opportunities
The Club Tech program was established to integrate technology into every aspect of the organization, from the clubs overall management to core programs such as educational enhancement, character and leadership development, the arts, sports, and fitness. Skill Tech, an interactive, hands-on curriculum aimed at familiarizing participants with technology, covers topics such as Internet safety and productivity applications. In addition, extensive and ongoing training is provided to club professionals to equip them with the knowledge to introduce technology to club members and integrate technology into the clubs administrative workings with, for example, theme-based activities. A national series of programs, including digital moviemaking, digital design, photography, Web design and development, and digital music, is scheduled for later this year, along with T3, a program offering more technical training and programs for cyberteens who have shown a heightened interest and ability in technology.
“Technology has changed the way our children learn. Children deserve access to this valuable tool so they can develop the skills that will prepare them for the future,”
said Roxanne Spillett, president of B & GCA.
“With Microsofts support, Boys & Girls Clubs of America is able to make this vision a reality through Club Tech. In fact, were already seeing kids using the Internet, designing Web pages, and even teaching each other and their parents how to get the best out of technology.”
About Club Tech
In February 1999, B & GCA and Microsoft launched a unique pilot program to bring technology access to the youth service organization. Microsoft funded a $1.6 million program to create new technology centers at 15 clubs across the country. Based on the pilot programs success, B & GCA developed a comprehensive national technology plan called Operation Connect to expand the benefits of technology to the more than 3,000 Boys & Girls Clubs throughout the United States.
Microsoft has continued to help build the core elements of the Operation Connect program through Club Tech. The Microsoft Club Tech donation consists of $12.3 million in cash and $88 million in software over the next five years to support efforts to bring technology literacy to every Boys & Girls Club in the United States. The Club Tech program, a joint effort of Microsoft and Boys & Girls Clubs, has developed and is providing clubs with all the program materials, training and initial software for Operation Connect, and aims to bridge the digital divide for the more than 3.5 million young people in Boys & Girls Clubs around the country. The software being provided includes the Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional operating system, Office XP Professional, the FrontPage® 2002 Web site creation and management tool, Publisher 2002, Picture It!® Premium Edition 2002 consumer photo-editing software, Encarta® Reference Library 2002, Streets and Trips 2002, Scholastics The Magic School Bus® and Creative Writer 2.0. The Club Tech software is available on the hardware supplied by PowerUP, a consortium of nonprofit organizations, major corporations, and state and federal government agencies working to ensure that Americas underserved children and teens acquire the skills, experiences and resources they need to succeed in the digital age.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
Boys & Girls Clubs of America comprises a national network of more than 3,000 neighborhood-based facilities serving more than 3.5 million young people annually, primarily from disadvantaged circumstances. Known as
“The Positive Place For Kids,”
clubs provide guidance-oriented programs daily for children 618 years old, conducted by a full-time professional staff. Key programs emphasize character and leadership development, educational enhancement, career preparation, health and life skills, the arts, sports, fitness, and recreation. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. More information on Boys & Girls Clubs of America is located at http://www.bgca.org/ .
About Microsoft Community Affairs
Created in 1983, Microsoft Community Affairs was one of the first philanthropic efforts in the high-tech industry. Today, Microsoft Community Affairs Giving is aimed at providing underserved communities with the resources they need to help realize their full potential by supporting innovative programs and projects that enhance technology access, strengthen nonprofits through technology, diversify the technology work force and build the community. In fiscal year 20002001, Microsoft gave more than $36.6 million in cash and $179 million in software donations to more than 5,000 nonprofit organizations. Community Affairs Employee Giving supports individual acts of giving and the organizations that inspire them by matching, dollar for dollar, employee charitable contributions up to $12,000 per employee annually. More than 20,000 Microsoft employees participate in the program. More information on Microsoft Community Affairs is located at http://www.microsoft.com/giving/ .
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software — any time, any place and on any device.
Microsoft, Windows, FrontPage, Picture It! and Encarta are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
Scholastic and The Magic School Bus and logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Scholastic Inc. in the United States and/or other countries.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
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