More summer jobs and camp scholarships for kids in Sonoma and Marin

Bank of America is awarding a $30,000 grant to Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma-Marin to expand access to The Clubs’ summer camp and paid summer jobs program. Between June 14 – August 13, the organization will serve more than 600 youth across Sonoma County at its enrichment-based day camps.

The grant comes at a critical time as the need for summer programming is more important than ever. The COVID-19 pandemic deeply impacted education, especially among low-income families. The funding will provide camp scholarships to dozens of kids who would otherwise not be able to attend. In addition, it will fund The Clubs’ Workforce Development Program, which provides local high school with jobs at The Clubs’ Santa Rosa camp locations.

More than 80% of the kids The Clubs serve are at risk of beginning the next school year 12-18 months academically behind their peers. The Clubs’ Summer Camp has been designed to provide kids with opportunities and resources to close this gap. Camp includes daily reading and math practice, STEM and social emotional learning, all mixed in with a variety of outdoor camp games and activities.

Bank of America has been a longstanding partner of Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma-Marin, previously supporting The Clubs’ Roseland Camp with a $5,000 grant in 2019 and providing $15,000 in relief last year during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic for The Clubs’ summer and distance learning programs.

“We are so grateful for our continued partnership with Bank of America, especially at a time where there is so much need,” said Jennifer Weiss, Chief Executive Officer of Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma-Marin. “The more kids we can serve at camp this summer, the better our community will be.”

Summer Camp begins June 14 at nine different Club locations across Sonoma County. For more information and to sponsor a child in need this summer, visit https://bgcsonomamarin.org/summermatters2021 .