Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area (BGCAA) will host its annual Great Futures Spring Luncheon on Tuesday, May 16, at the Hilton Austin Hotel in downtown Austin. This year’s theme is “Inspired to Serve: A Community Ready to Rally.” The luncheon will feature a special panel of guest speakers who will discuss the importance of public/private partnerships that support and help expand quality out-of-school learning. The event will also highlight and honor some of the Club kids who benefit from such programming and are building great futures through BGCAA.
“Our Great Futures Spring Luncheon is an opportunity to amplify the urgency of supporting quality out-of-school-time learning provided by organizations like Boys & Girls Clubs,” said BGCAA CEO Misti Potter. “In today’s legislative environment we are seeing cuts at a national and state level that eliminate or reduce educational programs for the kids who need it most. Our guest speakers will share their rallying cry on what we as a community can and should be doing to make sure every kid has a great future.”
Research shows that students who participate in out-of-school learning programs have increased school attendance, improved grades and decreased drop-out rates. The Great Futures Spring Luncheon special panel will focus on a facilitated conversation with experts in education and community engagement on why it’s imperative that Austin continues to have scheduled, structured and supported quality out-of-school-time learning. Guest speakers will share insights, perspectives and calls-to-action on how to ensure Austin youth gain equitable access to out-of-school time programs. Guest speakers will include:
- Jim Clark, president of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America
- Andy Roddick, founder of the Andy Roddick Foundation, former Association of Tennis Professionals 1 player and 2017 International Tennis Hall of Fame Inductee
- Paul Cruz, district superintendent of the Austin Independent School District
- Wendy Rodriguez, BGCAA and North Texas 2017 “Youth of the Year” and senior at the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders
The luncheon program will also spotlight Club kids from various Austin-area neighborhoods. Two Club kids will be seated with each table of attendees, one Club kid will lead the Pledge of Allegiance and another will sing the national anthem. The event will also feature a special performance by the Bertha Sadler Means Young Women’s Academy Club choir. Attendees will also join in the continued celebration of BGCAA’s 50th birthday and five decades of service and support to youth across the Austin area.
Tickets and tables for the Great Futures Spring Luncheon are available for purchase here. Prices for individual tickets start at $300 and table sponsorships at $2,500. Money raised from the Great Futures Spring Luncheon will benefit BGCAA’s services across its 28 clubs and four outreach programs throughout Travis and Bastrop counties. The Great Futures Spring Luncheon is among several BGCAA community events throughout the year that raise awareness and support and help Austin-area kids build great futures. Others slated for 2017 include the Austin Duck Derby on Aug. 5, the Brian Jones Golf Classic on Aug. 16 and the Blue Door Gala on Nov. 3.
For more information about the Great Futures Spring Luncheon and other BGCAA events for 2017, please contact Courtney Billingsley at 512.444.7199.
About the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area (BGCAA) is Austin’s leading youth development agency currently serving more than 12,000 kids via 28 Clubs and four outreach programs. 2017 marks BGCAA’s 50th year in the Austin area, a benchmark measured by thousands of local youth success stories. Club youth participate in high-impact development programs that, when compared to non-club youth, result in better school attendance, better grades, higher graduation rates and a higher likelihood of attending college. Through support from local individuals, businesses and BGCAA staff, Club youth are given the tools and opportunities to create great futures. www.bgcaustin.org
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