Boys & Girls Clubs of America Convenes National Military Leadership Council on Behalf of Military Youth & Families

ATLANTA, Sept. 10, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) announces the first meeting of the National Military Leadership Council, which seeks to strengthen support for military youth and families, on Friday, Sept. 12 7-9:40 a.m. at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. The Council builds upon BGCA's long-standing partnership with the U.S. Armed Forces and commitment to military youth and their families, served by 480 BGCA-Affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide.

"More than 1.2 million military youth have a parent serving in the military, and 70 percent of military families live in civilian communities," said Jim Clark, President and CEO for BGCA. "Children of military families face unique challenges, including military deployment and reintegration. As a leader in youth development, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, in partnership with the U.S. military, is poised to provide vital support for military youth during out-of-school time. With the leadership of this Council, we can have greater impact to enable more kids to achieve great futures."

Comprised of a network of thought leaders representing public and private organizations. The Council will focus initiatives to enhance the lives of military youth and families. Founded in response to our long standing partnership with the Armed Services and BGCA's Military Great Think held In Washington, D.C. last September, the network seeks to address issues of common concern among military youth, solicit input from Council members and partners, propose solutions, develop work plans and support BGCA in its efforts to enhance the well-being of all military families.

During the inaugural meeting, Council members will develop a strategic plan around three key areas:  Resiliency & Reintegration; Preparing Youth for Academic Success & Workforce Readiness; Outreach to Military Families: Creating a Public/Private Delivery System.  The National Military Leadership Council consists of approximately 20 volunteer leaders from corporate, academia, government and non-government organizations.

Tune in to a live webcast of this event: www.visualwebcaster.com/NMLC2014

Since 1991, BGCA have partnered with the U.S. Armed Services offering critical youth development programs to more than 460,000 youth on U.S. military installations.  For more information about BGCA Armed Services partnership, contact Terrill D. McFarland, National Vice President, Military & Outreach Services, Boys & Girls Clubs of America ([email protected]) / (404) 487-5725.

SOURCE National Military Leadership Council