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Follow on Google News | New Survey of 10,000 Teens Suggests Youth Know Voting Counts & Want To Be Community LeadersBoys & Girls Clubs of America Survey Conducted in Partnership with the Case Foundation and Nickelodeon Asked Teens About Civic Engagement, Community Service, and Education
The survey builds on BGCA’s long history of character development and citizenship efforts, and is the kick-off to the century-old organization’ The partners will use the survey to ensure youth voice is part of the conversation and to start an ongoing dialogue among those who are involved with engaging America’s youth. The survey findings will be particularly relevant in a U.S. presidential election year, where issues that greatly affect youth, such as job creation, education and civic involvement will dominate local and national discussion. The final report released today includes action steps for parents and caregivers, educators and school administrators, community and business leaders, youth development professionals, youth mentors and teens. Survey Highlights • 80% of teens polled agree that U.S. citizens have a responsibility to vote. They also agree that every vote in an election can make a difference. • 85% of teens agree that school is important and will help them get a good job and 83% agree that going to college is necessary to achieve career goals. • Nearly all teens polled believe it is important to make a contribution (58.5%), to serve as leaders in their community as teenagers (57.3%), and to address social and community issues (59.8%). • 40% would begin their community contributions at school, and more than 31.5% would begin within their own family. Using the Survey to Encourage Action “Our goal is to continue to engage teens, civic leaders, community members and Boys & Girls Club staff in important conversations about these issues to ensure that subsequent generations of America’s youth grow to demonstrate greater levels of civic engagement and good character in their communities,” At BGCA, civic engagement and character building is an essential element in helping youth become responsible, caring, productive citizens. Teaching critical life skills to all members is a cornerstone of BGCA’s mission. Leadership and service groups, such as Keystone Clubs and Torch Clubs, as well as signature recognition programs including Youth of the Year, are just some examples of BGCA’s long-time commitment to serving communities and instilling positive values among America’s youth. “At the Case Foundation, we believe that citizen-centered approaches to civic engagement, where citizens form solutions and take action together, lead to active, engaged and healthy communities.” “At Nickelodeon we feel it is our corporate responsibility to provide our audience with information through The Big Help and Kids Pick the President initiatives to empower them to take the lead in making positive changes in their communities, said Anthony DiCosmo, Vice President, Public Affairs, Nickelodeon Group.” “To that end we also connect kids to organizations like the Boys & Girls Clubs of America that provide opportunities for young people to take part in extracurricular opportunities, volunteer and become civically engaged.” Survey Conducted By Teens, With Teens, About Teens • The partners developed and commissioned the survey, which was conducted in the summer of 2011. Young people ages 13 to 18 participated. • The survey was created for and - more significantly - conducted by teens in more than 200 communities. • Boys & Girls Club teen leaders served as ambassadors for the Teens Speak Up national survey by polling teens in their neighborhoods, shopping malls, and schools. • The survey process not only challenged Club teens to conduct a major survey in their own communities, it also provided them with the opportunity to give a voice to young people across the country, encouraging peers to take an active, civic role in understanding and addressing community needs. Interested parties can read the survey in its entirety and find more information on conversations and events near them at http://www.bgca.org/ The partners will also hold a national webinar to discuss findings in the coming weeks. About the Case Foundation The Case Foundation, created by Steve and Jean Case in 1997, invests in people and ideas that can change the world, with the ultimate goal of making giving back a part of everyday life. We create and support initiatives that that leverage new technologies and entrepreneurial approaches to drive innovation in the social sector and encourage individuals to get involved with the communities and causes they care about. For more information, visit www.casefoundation.org and follow the Case Foundation at @casefoundation on Twitter and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ About Nickelodeon Nickelodeon, now in its 33rd year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books and feature films. Nickelodeon’ About Boys & Girls Clubs of America For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (GreatFutures.org) Contacts: Jan Still-Lindeman, (404) 487-5739, jslindeman@bgca.org Mitch Leff, (404) 861-4769, mitch@leffassociates.com End
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