The board and staff of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota are pleased to announce that Xcel Energy has approved a grant to the organization in the amount of $10,000 to fund Academic Success programs focusing on post-secondary education prep and STEM programming. The grant was made through the Education focus area for Xcel Energy’s corporate giving, part of the company’s effort to support nonprofit agencies providing services in towns and cities served by Xcel Energy.
“The success of our company is directly related to the health of our communities,” said Ben Fowke, president and CEO of Xcel Energy. “Through our foundation grants we can positively impact the quality of life in the towns and cities we serve.”
“This grant will enable staff to better prepare our young people for post-secondary education using hands-on experiences and skills building through STEM-based projects,” said Deb Nebosis, Director of Development for the Boys & Girls Club. “Increasing access to science, technology, engineering and math through fun and engaging activities enables young people to think deeply, solve critical problems and become innovators themselves.”
According to the Afterschool Alliance, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills are essential for navigating the modern world and competing in the 21st century job market.
There are many efforts attempting to address this situation through school reform, but students spend less than 20% of their waking hours in a classroom.
By offering hands-on, project-based learning that makes the STEM fields come alive for youth, before-school, afterschool and summer learning programs are: inspiring and engaging kids in these fields, building necessary skills and proficiency, inspiring them to pursue majors and careers in STEM fields.
This is the 16th year that Xcel Energy has supported education programs provided by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota. Xcel Energy has given more than $190,000 to the Boys & Girls Club since 1993.
“We are so thankful for Xcel Energy’s ongoing generosity to the Boys & Girls Club,” said Nebosis. “Over the years, their support has enabled thousands of children to achieve academic success and make plans beyond high school graduation.”
For more information about the important education programs provided by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota, please visit our website: www.bgcmn.org or call us at 320-252-7616.
About Xcel Energy
Xcel Energy is a major U.S. electricity and natural gas company operating in eight Western and Midwestern states. The company is committed to providing cost-effective, clean, responsible energy delivered with the highest standards for safety, reliability and responsiveness. Xcel Energy supports communities in four important focus areas: STEM education; workforce development; environmental stewardship; and access to arts and culture. In 2014, Xcel Energy invested more than $13 million in support of communities across its service territory.
More information is available at www.xcelenergy.com
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota
Since 1974, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota has provided hope and opportunity to tens of thousands of young people. More than 25 nationally tested and proven programs are available in the areas of education, the environment, health, the arts, careers, drug and alcohol prevention, leadership development, and athletics. These programs address today’s most pressing youth issues teaching young people the skills they need to succeed in life.
The mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. More information is available at www.bgcmn.org.