On Thursday, the Anthem Foundation announced their donation of $110,000 to support five Kentucky Boys and Girls Clubs in Paducah, Louisville, and Harlan. The donation is their effort to provide activities and meals for children ages six through eighteen.
"Like many of our families and friends in Paducah, our club experienced COVID-19’s impact on our society," said Oscar Cross Boys & Girls Club Chief Executive Officer Neal Clark. "Our mindset is that although we face difficult challenges, this is an opportunity to make a greater impact on our community; thus better servicing the families that need us the most."
The funding will help support the MAPS (Middle Schoolers Academic Pathways to Success) program, which will provide tablets to children that will help them participate in the club's programming, as well as allowing them to access their school work while at home through the pandemic.
The program has the goal of addressing the barriers that contribute to poor academic performance. MAPS consists of five programs offered by the BGCA that have been tested, proven, and nationally recognized. The curriculum supports age specific programming to address problems that our children face.
According to officials with Oscar Cross, the program also allows for academic and career exploration. The objectives of the program creates a roadmap of their future, allowing them to be more knowledgeable about their academic and career goals.
