Fort Worth, Texas – July 17, 2003
— Boys & Girls Clubs of
America (BGCA) today marks a milestone with the opening of its 1,000th
technology center at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Fort
Worth’s J.A. Cavile Unit. The installation of the state-of-the-art
center marks the continuation of BGCA’s commitment to ensuring
that every one of its 3,300 Clubs has a tech center, from those
located in rural areas to those in urban, inner cities. Fort Worth
Mayor Mike Moncrief hosted the opening of the center, located in
Fort Worth public housing.
The center joins two other local
Clubs in the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Fort Worth
organization, North Fort Worth and East Side, which are already
equipped with the state-of-the-art technology. More than 83 other
technology-equipped Clubs throughout the state of Texas are already
up and running, including Clubs in Waco, Jasper, Ennis, Conroe and
Del Rio; four Clubs in Houston; two in Dallas and six in El Paso.
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Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief
(center) and Dan Thompson (right), Manager, Microsoft Product Support
Services Office, chat with Club members Jimmy S. and
Takira J. in their new technology center.
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"This is a celebration of how
public, private and non-profit organizations work in tandem to
provide our youth with the opportunities they deserve to become
productive, successful citizens," said Mayor Moncrief.
"Both Boys & Girls Clubs of America and of Greater Fort
Worth, with the support of Microsoft, are to be commended for taking
the lead in providing this city’s youth with access to both
technology and the skills needed to utilize it."
The center is equipped with ten
wireless IBM computers and outfitted with the latest Microsoft
software, including Microsoft XP operating system and Microsoft
Office XP.
Joining Mayor Moncrief for the
opening were Joe Cordova, President and Chief Professional Officer,
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Fort Worth; Barbara Ragland,
Office of Congresswoman Kay Granger (D-Texas); Marc Veasay, Office
of Congressman Martin Frost (R-Texas); Dan Thompson, Manager,
Microsoft Product Support Services Office; Barbara Holston;
Executive Director, Forth Worth Housing Authority; and Bill Regehr,
Senior Vice-President, IT, Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
They were joined by Club members and staff, local community leaders,
parents and educators in celebrating this monumental event.
Microsoft has donated $100 million -
$88 million in software and $12 million in cash – for the
development of the Club Tech program. The program is a joint venture
with Boys & Girls Clubs of America that will provide the more
than 3,300 Boys & Girls Clubs worldwide with the latest
software, deliver technical training to Club staff and equip the
organization’s 3.6 million young people with the basic and
advanced technological skills needed to succeed in life.
Fort Worth’s Cordova said the new
tech center will aid his members by preparing them for a world
driven by technology.
"If our members are going to be
prepared for the world and the workplace, it is essential that they
are given the technical experience and training necessary to
succeed," said Cordova. "This new tech center is a great
way to provide access to technology, technological skills and
mentoring to the kids that need it most."
The highlight of the event was the
screening of the award-winning movie, "It is a Hero,"
produced by J.A. Cavile members utilizing the new technology center
and software donated by Microsoft.
Boys & Girls Clubs of America (www.bgca.org)
comprises a national network of more than 3,300 neighborhood-based
facilities annually serving some 3.6 million young people, primarily
from disadvantaged circumstances. Known as "The Positive Place
for Kids," Clubs provide guidance-oriented programs on a daily
basis for children 6 - 18 years old, conducted by a full-time
professional staff. Key programs emphasize character and leadership
development, education and career development, health and life
skills, the arts, and sports, fitness and recreation. National
headquarters is located in Atlanta.
