Ford & Harrison is pleased to announce that the firm will be hosting the highly-regarded Connections for Success program for a second year. Connections for Success is a mentorship program Ford & Harrison created for the Boys & Girls Club of America's (BGCA) Southeast Region Youth of the Year (YOY) finalists. This year's program kicked off with a reception and dinner at Ford & Harrison's Atlanta office on June 22, 2011
Boys & Girls Clubs of America's Youth of the Year recognition is the highest honor a Club member can achieve. Since its inception in 1947, the YOY program celebrates youth who have overcome enormous odds and demonstrated exceptional character and accomplishments. These deserving young people are recognized for service to their Club and community, academic performance and contributions to their family. The Southeast Region YOY finalists consist of 10 State YOY winners from the region, with the regional winner being selected at a special dinner in their honor.
The year-long mentorship program will focus on helping these State YOY winners adjust between life as a Boys & Girls Club member and life as a young adult. The primary goals of the mentors are to offer smart business practices and to help the mentees develop the skills they need to prepare for college, employment and social/business networking. YOY participants are traditionally high school age and are typically entering their first year of college. Ford & Harrison has designated attorney mentors for each of the 10 finalists.
"I am really proud to be part of a firm that would take on a project like this," comments Dawn Siler-Nixon, Ford & Harrison's Diversity & Inclusion Partner. "Our firm runs much deeper than the hours we bill or the money it produces. Our success truly allows us to affect people's lives."
About Boys & Girls Clubs of America's Youth of the Year Recognition Program
Since its inception in 1947, the Youth of the Year recognition program celebrates youth who have overcome enormous odds and demonstrated exceptional character and accomplishments. The highest honor a Club member can achieve, Youth of the Year is designed to promote and recognize service to Club and community, academic performance and contributions to family and spiritual life. Beginning in the Club and continuing through the state, regional and national levels, Boys & Girls Club youth are honored each year for their efforts in making their Clubs and communities more positive places for everyone. Each regional winner receives a total of $22,000 in college scholarships from founding sponsor Reader's Digest Foundation and Tupperware Brands, Corp. The national winner receives an additional $15,000 scholarship from Reader's Digest Foundation and up to $50,000 from The Rick and Susan Goings Foundation.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America has enabled young people, especially those who need Clubs most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, some 4,000 Boys & Girls Clubs serve more than 4.2 million young people through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs can be found throughout the country and on U.S. military installations worldwide, providing young people 6-18 years old with guidance-oriented character development programs conducted by trained, professional staff. Key programs emphasize leadership development; education and career exploration; community service; technology training; financial literacy; health and life skills; the arts; sports, fitness and recreation; and family outreach. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 57 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta.