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Created on Wednesday, 16 May 2012 22:43

  Contact: Timothy Sinatra, Executive Director, Boys & Girls Club of Salem, Marion and Polk Counties

 FightING America’s High School Dropout CrisiS, LOCAL TACO BELL RESTAURANTS Award $10,000 to Boys & Girls club of Salem, Marion and polk Counties

Salem, OR, May 9 2012) – Recently, $10,000 was awarded to the Boys & Girls Club of Salem, Marion and Polk Counties in the Salem area by the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens. The funds will support real-world experiential programs that help Salem area teens stay in school and graduate. The Boys & Girls Club of Salem, Marion and Polk Counties will serve approximately 250 teens through this Graduate to Go experience grant.

 Teens from Boys & Girls Club of Salem, Marion and Polk Counties will be participating in Keystone Club and actively engaging in service learning and experiential learning opportunities designed to provide them with the skills, experience and confidence to be engaged and productive citizens.

 “We are honored to be recognized by the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens for our long-time commitment to high school graduation and long-term success among teens,” said Timothy Sinatra, Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club. “It’s because of partnerships like this that we are able to offer career, community and educational experiences that inspire our teen members to stay committed to earning their high school degree and move onto great things in life.”

 The Boys & Girls Club of Salem, Marion and Polk Counties is one of more than 250 organizations nationwide that will receive a portion of $2.7 million granted by the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens. Graduate To Go™ is a long-term effort, launched by the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens, to raise awareness of the high-school dropout crisis and encourage teens to get their diploma. The initiative funds real-world experiences, such as job training and college preparation, proven to motivate teens to stay in school. Funds were raised through local Taco Bell restaurant owners and Taco Bell customers.

 By the Numbers

America’s high school dropout rates are staggering, with one student dropping out of high school every 26 seconds. More than 30 percent of U.S. teens and up to 50 percent of Latinos and African Americans fail to graduate with their class. Dropouts are more likely than high school graduates to be unemployed, in poor health, living in poverty, in prison, or on public assistance.**

 “The teen graduation crisis is a major hurdle for America as we strive to remain an innovative and powerful global leader,” said Shawn Winkler, Senior Manager Taco Bell Foundation for Teens. “The vital partnerships and programs we are funding today allow Taco Bell to help teens build a foundation for a future success through the vehicle of graduation.”

 About the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens

The Taco Bell Foundation, Inc., dba Taco Bell Foundation for Teens (TBFT), a non-profit 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation, is committed to addressing the growing number of high school dropouts in the U.S. by providing teens with mentors and real-world experiences that motivate them to stay in school, graduate and achieve more in life. Since 1995, TBFT has donated more than $30 million to support teen programs at Boys & Girls Clubs of America and other teen-serving organizations. TBFT has done this with the help of ongoing customer, franchisee and employee donations. For more information about TBFT, visit www.tacobellfoundationforteens.org.

About Taco Bell Corp.

Taco Bell Corp. ("Taco Bell"), a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc., (NYSE: YUM), is the nation's leading Mexican-style quick service restaurant chain. Taco Bell serves tacos, burritos, signature quesadillas, Grilled Stuft Burritos, nachos, and other specialty items such as Crunchwrap Supreme®, in addition to the 79-89-99 WHY PAY MORE™! Value Menu. Taco Bell serves more than 36.8 million consumers each week in nearly 5,600 restaurants in the U.S.

 About Boys & Girls Club of Salem, Marion and Polk Counties

For 41 years the Boys & Girls Club has given children opportunities for success in our community, focusing on three core areas: Academic Success, Character and Leadership Development, and Healthy Lifestyles.  The Boys & Girls Club of Salem, Marion and Polk Counties provides positive, guidance-oriented activities to over 10,500 youth ages 6-18 at seven youth centers, a health services center and community athletic leagues.  Club Memberships are only $5 per program year, and the programs we offer are made possible by the generosity of our community.

 About Boys & Girls Clubs of America

For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (www.bgca.org) has enabled young people, especially those who need Clubs most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, more than 4,000 Boys & Girls Clubs serve more than 4 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.

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