March 31, 2006

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme is giving area young people the opportunity to “sound off” on timely topics such as violence, insufficient access to education and a growing sense of alienation with a Teen Town Hall Meeting.

The springboard for these lively debates will be provided by the recently released “Youth Report to America ,” a survey of more than 46,000 youth by youth conducted by Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA).  The nation's fastest-growing youth service organization, which is celebrating its Centennial in 2006, turned to the nation's youth to lead a Youth “State of the Union” and help determine the nation's agenda for America's young people for the next hundred years.

The Youth Report To America — is the largest-ever national survey of teens, by teens — ages 13-18 designed to deliver an honest, pointed message to America .  American Express, one of BGCA's Centennial sponsors, provided the funding for the Youth Report to America .

“For the first time, youth from all over the nation, including Oxnard and Port Hueneme, representing various racial and ethnic backgrounds, have responded in great numbers to tell the nation—we have many hopes and dreams for our future, but we don't always have the opportunities to realize those dreams,” said Angel Alba, a member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme member and Report participant.

Youth “State of the Union ”

The youth of America are using this opportunity to reveal their heartfelt hopes, aspirations, fears and more.  Based on the report's findings, youth will conduct their own “State of the Union ”— calling for Americans to come together and make positive changes for all young people. 

Over the next several months, young people will lead discussions about the themes that resonate with them most.  Key Report findings include:

· America 's teens want an education, but many don't believe they will have a chance to get one. 

· Teens want a less violent world, yet many feel violence is sometimes necessary to defend themselves in their daily lives.

· God and spiritually play a significant role in the lives of America 's teens.

· Today's youth are more influenced by their parents then by peers.

· Youth are concerned about going to war, and for the future of their children.

· To today's teens, “personal happiness” define the “American Dream” more then “having a good job” or “owning a home.”

To underscore Report findings, BGCA has also produced a short documentary featuring compelling interviews with America 's youth, which Clubs across the country and in Oxnard and Port Hueneme will share with local politicians and business leaders to kick off a year of focus and action on behalf of the nation's youth.

Dr. Alvin F. Poussaint, one of the country's most respected child psychologists, Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and former script consultant to The Cosby Show, has been working with Boys & Girls Clubs of America to analyze the findings in the Youth Report to America and interpret what it says about youth today and the nation's future.

“Whenever youth take the courageous step of revealing their honest, innermost thoughts and feelings, we should take time and listen,” said Dr. Poussaint.  “This Youth ‘State of the Union,' and the Report that guides it, provides America with a clear snapshot of the gaps that young people perceive between their hopes and aspirations, and their expectations of successfully reaching them.”

Close the Gap

Throughout the year, Boys & Girls Club members across the country will work to bring Americans together to close the gap between hope and opportunity.  In Oxnard and Port Hueneme teens will participate in a series of grassroots gatherings to further discuss the issues uncovered in the Youth Report to America and develop proposed solutions.  “Teen Speak Out” is planned for Friday April 7, 2006 from 6:00-9:00pm. The event will be Emceed by Tim Blaylock, CPO for the B&G Club of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme, and moderated by Andre “Paradox” Jackson . The panel will consist of B&G Club members Mariela Jaime, Angel Alba, Joseph Ramos, Chanel Drake – BGCA representative Jane Deal, Port Hueneme Mayor Tony Volante, Dr. Yvonne Bodle and Richard Duarte

This fall, youth will unveil their own “Call to Action” in which they will present their vision for a better America to President Bush, Congress, and the nation.

“After a century of serving our nation's youth and providing a safe place for kids to learn and grow, we realized the best way for Boys & Girls Clubs of America to commemorate this Centennial landmark would be to turn to our young people ask them what they need and provide a platform for them to express those needs to the nation,” said Roxanne Spillet, president, Boys & Girls Clubs of America.  “Even better, we can use their feedback to help influence our mission for the next hundred years.”

About Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme

For 52 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme has been recognized as a community-based organization that welcomes all youth, regardless of their race, religion or gender.  Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme www.positiveplace4kids.org includes 3 full service clubhouse, 10 school sites and one public housing facility annually serving more than 6700 young people, primarily from disadvantaged circumstances.

Known as “The Positive Place for Kids,” the Clubs provide guidance-oriented character development programs on a daily basis for children 6-18 years old, conducted by a full-time professional staff.  Key Boys & Girls Club programs emphasize character and leadership development, education and career development, health and life skills, the arts, sports, fitness and recreation.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America 's National Centennial Celebration

Boys & Girls Clubs of America has been recognized as one of the nation's most dynamic, innovative and successful youth service organizations.   Providing vital programs and services to more than 4.4 million young people throughout the United States and on military bases across the globe, Boys & Girls Clubs of America has earned its reputation as the “ Positive Place ” for young people to learn and grow. In 2006, Boys & Girls Clubs of America reaches an important historical milestone as it celebrates its 100 th year of service.   The occasion creates opportunities to celebrate past achievements as the organization reflects upon the challenges and future of the next century of service. 

Youth Report To America Methodology

To compile this Report, Boys & Girls Club members helped determine questions, administered open-ended surveys to other youth in their local communities and compiled the responses into key themes.  Some 46,000 youth participated.  The youth respondents came from varied racial and ethnic backgrounds, representing each region of the country. The members reviewed and tabulated the data to make this the biggest report of its kind – ever – that's about youth, by youth.