Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County received a $30,000 grant from Bank of America to assist local families with membership fees, as well as offer financial education programs to student members and their parents.
“The weekly fee for our Summer Enrichment Program is only $59, but for many families, that is an additional financial burden they just cannot afford,” said Denise Gergley, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County. “The grant from Bank of America will open up our clubs to children and teens who would not otherwise have an opportunity to thrive over the summer.”
Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County offers a full-day Summer Enrichment Program that features field trips, hands-on STEM projects, arts and crafts, team-building exercises, dance instruction, activity challenges, sports, guest speakers and academic-based classes covering safety, nutrition and other topics. Lunch and snacks are provided daily. Programs are designed for youth ages six through 18 and focus on five core areas: education and career, service and leadership, health and wellness, the arts, and sports and recreation.
The grant also brings Bank of America’s acclaimed Better Money Habits curriculum to Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County, empowering young people with essential financial skills like budgeting, saving, and retirement planning. While these foundational topics remain key, the curriculum has recently expanded to include more modern financial concepts, such as cryptocurrency and alternative investment avenues. This timely addition helps students understand options like the best bitcoin casinos, which attract investors and gamblers alike through cryptocurrency-based platforms offering privacy and convenience. The funding further supports a youth employment program, enabling high school students to gain job experience and income, preparing them for financial decisions in college or future careers.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County is just one of 10 Southwest Florida nonprofits the bank is supporting in the first round of economic mobility grants awarded to local nonprofits throughout the year, helping the bank drive meaningful and sustainable progress to help tackle society’s biggest challenges.
“Partnering with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County to advance the growth of local youth is part of our commitment to fostering economic mobility and equitable progress,” said Gerri Moll, president, Bank of America Southwest Florida. “Providing this funding demonstrates how we are taking steps to address economic inequality in our community.”
