Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio to Build New ‘Center of Innovation’ for Military Youth
Raytheon (NYSE: RTN) in partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America is establishing four new ‘Centers of Innovation’ at Boys & Girls Clubs that serve a high population of military youth, and Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio will receive one of these world-class transformations. The centers are being funded through the company’s $5 million, multi-year commitment to Boys & Girls Clubs of America, part of Raytheon’s recent $10 million pledge to support military veterans and their families.
Located in California, Colorado, Florida and Texas the Clubs are:
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego
• Boys & Girls Club of the Pikes Peak Region
• Eglin AFB Youth Center
• Boys & Girls Club of San Antonio
The centers will provide military youth access to advanced technologies that stimulate creative approaches to STEM exploration, including 3-D printers, robotics, high-definition video production and conferencing equipment. A fully dedicated STEM expert will offer individual and group support, using real-world applications to help youth program participants develop their STEM skills and critical thinking. In the U.S., STEM jobs are expected to grow nearly twice as fast as those in any other field by 2018, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce.
The life of a military family is unique. On average, military families move six to nine times before their children graduate high school – about three times more often than civilian families. Boys & Girls Clubs of America aim to bring consistency and continuity to their lives; the club atmosphere provides continuity for military children, whether living on or off a military base.
“Boys & Girls Clubs in local communities and in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on military installations offer a safe and engaging place for military kids and teens to help address the unique circumstances that they navigate during formative years,” said Jim Clark, president and CEO of BGCA. “With Raytheon’s support, we’ll be able to impact more of our military heroes’ kids to help them achieve great futures in areas of science, math or wherever their interests take them.”
About Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio: Founded in 1939, Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio serves over 8,300 members annually at six branches and 46 on-site school locations. The Clubs provide after school and summer programs that develop and enhance academic success, good character & citizenship, and healthy lifestyles in youth ages six-to-18 years old, paying particular attention to those who need these programs most. As a result of the Clubs’ programs, young people are inspired and enabled to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. For more information, visit the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio website at: www.BeGreatSA.org.
About Raytheon: Raytheon Company, with 2015 sales of $23 billion and 61,000 employees, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, civil government and cybersecurity solutions. With a history of innovation spanning 94 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration, C5I™ products and services, sensing, effects, and mission support for customers in more than 80 countries. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Mass. Visit us at http://www.raytheon.com/ and follow us on Twitter @Raytheon.
