Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland Continues Offering Much-Needed
Homework Assistance Program with the Help of Ross Dress for Less

Oakland, CA 11-20-09 – In response to the call for more effective homework assistance programs for low-income youth, Ross Dress for Less is providing $6,000.00 grants to support the continued implementation of Power Hour in 180 Boys & Girls Clubs in communities with high poverty rates across the country.
This highly successful homework assistance program, implemented by Boys & Girls Club of Oakland, helps young people come to view homework as an opportunity to learn to work independently, complete projects on time and feel positive about their accomplishments.
“We are grateful to Ross Dress for Less for enabling us to continue utilizing such a high-quality homework assistance program like Power Hour,” Cal Stanley, President of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland. “So many of the children we serve simply do not have access to the resources necessary for successful homework completion, which is critical to their everyday academic success.”
Power Hour is an interactive, after-school homework assistance program for children ages 6 to 18. Unlike assignments done in class, Power Hour work is conducted in a non-threatening and fun after-school environment using adults or older students, who serve as “Homework Helpers,” to supervise completion of Club members’ homework.
In addition to homework help, these staff or volunteers offer age-appropriate activities to stimulate Club members’ interest in learning. By explaining the relevance of learning fractions in order to cook a meal, for example, or by showing how geography can enable us to enjoy reading the newspaper, volunteers help Club members learn to value the knowledge homework can bring. Power Hour’s long-term goals are to ensure that youth graduate from high school, pursue postsecondary educations and become life-long learners.
Power Hour also offers tips for establishing essential communication with teachers and parents. Research has shown that parental involvement is a must if children are to develop good homework habits. Power Hour also provides incentives for Club members, rewarding them with “Power Points” and charting their academic progress on a colorful poster that is displayed prominently in the Club.
Among the available research on the importance of after-school homework assistance is a recent study conducted by the U.S. Justice and Education Departments. In Working for Children: Safe and Smart After-School Programs (2000), experts reported, “children who are left alone when school ends have more difficulties with their class work than those who participate in after-school programs. Not only is the latter group of students more likely to succeed academically, they are also much more self-confident.” Other studies have linked after-school homework assistance programs to improved behavior at school and an overall increased interest in learning.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland’s mission is to develop our community’s youth into positive contributors to society. Now in its 71st year, the Club continues to provide safe places to learn and grow, opportunities for ongoing relationships with caring adult professionals, life-enhancing programs, and other character development experiences each year for over 2,500 boys and girls, ages 6 to 17. The organization supplements the endeavors of our families and our schools. Please visit our website to learn more about our mission and programs www.bgcoakland.org.

About Ross Stores
Ross Stores, Inc., a Fortune 500 and Nasdaq 100 (ROST) company headquartered in Pleasanton, California, is the nation’s second largest off-price retailer with fiscal 2008 revenues of $6.5 billion. As of May 30, 2009, the Company operated 922 Ross Dress for Less stores and 52 discount locations. Ross offers first-quality, in-season, name brand and designer apparel, accessories, footwear and home fashions for the entire family at everyday savings of 20 to 60 percent off department and specialty store regular prices, features a more moderately-priced assortment of first-quality, in-season, name brand apparel, accessories, footwear and home fashions for the entire family at everyday savings of 20 to 70 percent off moderate department and discount store regular prices. Additional information is available at www.rossstores.com.

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Oakland, CA - The Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland (BGCO) is pleased to announce the appointment of new board members for 2008.   The Board of Directors has the responsibility of overseeing and guiding the organization towards fulfilling its mission.   BGCO has a rich history in the Bay Area, having served the community of Oakland for 67 years and counting.    “We are delighted by these new additions to the Board of Directors,” proclaims Cal Stanley, President of Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland.  “Each member brings a tremendous amount of intellectual capital as well connections to the community.  These connections will strengthen our support base and increase our ability to make a difference in the community.”  The new board members are Sid Ewing, Carl Washington, Marc Homertgen, Adnan Siddiqui, and Jason Curliano. 

Sid P. Ewing - Mr. Ewing is a Senior Vice President of CB Richard Ellis’ Northern California office in Oakland.  He consults and assists users with the negotiation and execution of real estate transactions as well as assisting Landlords to secure and position assets for sale or stabilize the property for income.  He has represented several prominent clients including Bank of America, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratories, Safeway Inc, the State of California, and the University of California.   Mr. Ewing has been active in commercial real estate since 1991 and earned a Bachelor of Science in Real Estate & Urban Land use from California State University, Sacramento.

Carl D. Washington - Mr. Washington has spent over 25 years in the high technology industry ranging from fortune 500 to start up companies, including IBM, Xerox, Hewlett-Packard, Storage Technology, Commerce One and Filepool.  He was most recently with EMC in the role of Manager of Global Alliances Group.  Mr. Washington’s previous functional experience includes business development, channel sales, product marketing, manufacturing, optical engineering, software engineering, and research and development. Mr. Washington has a MBA degree from University of California at Los Angeles, a Masters of Science degree in Optical Engineering from University of Rochester, and a Bachelors of Science degree in Physics from Denison University in Granville, OH.

Marc Homertgen - Mr. Homertgen is a Senior Vice President for Bank of America’s Commercial Banking Division in Oakland providing corporate finance solutions for companies located throughout the greater San Francisco Bay Area.  Marc has a degree in Business Administration and Economics from Saint Mary’s College of California.  His extracurricular activities include coaching youth sports and serving on the Board of Directors of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland.  Marc resides in Oakland with his wife Mandana and his twins, Emma and Michael. 

Adnan Siddiqui - Mr. Siddiqui is a Vice President and District Manager for Wells Fargo Bank in Oakland, California. An 8-year veteran of the company, Mr. Siddiqui is responsible for more than $2 billion in assets and more than 200 team members. Prior to joining Wells Fargo Bank, he was in the Consumer Banking Group at Citibank, N.A. for the Asian Pacific and North America.  Mr. Siddiqui holds master’s degrees in Finance & Economics and Computer Information Systems from University of Wales and University of San Francisco.

Jason J. Curliano -  Mr. Curliano is a partner at Buty & Curliano LLP in Oakland which practices in the areas of employment, toxics, business, real estate, healthcare and general litigation.   Mr. Curliano has served as Co-Chair of the Alameda County Bar Association Barristers Club, Chair of the Association of Defense Counsel Employment Law Committee, as well as currently serving on the Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Oakland.   Mr. Curliano has an undergraduate degree from the University of California Davis and a Juris Doctor Degree from McGeorge School of Law where he graduated with distinction and as a member of the Traynor Academic Honor Society.  Mr. Curliano has also been honored as a Northern California Super Lawyer.  Before going to law school Mr. Curliano was a member of the United States Luge Team.  Mr. Curliano now enjoys actively giving back to the community, spending time with his two teenage sons, and working on developing the next generation of young attorneys.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland’s mission is to develop our community’s youth into positive contributors to society.  Now in its 67th year, the Club continues to provide safe places to learn and grow, opportunities for ongoing relationships with caring adult professionals, life-enhancing programs, and other character development experiences each year for over 2,500 girls and boys, ages 6 to 17. The organization supplements the endeavors of our families and our schools, and plans to serve a minimum of 5,000 Oakland youth in the near future.  If you believe in what we do and would like to show your support you may do so by visiting www.bgcoakland.org.

May 7, 2008 - The Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland (BGCO) is pleased to announce the appointment of new board members for 2008.   The Board of Directors has the responsibility of overseeing and guiding the organization towards fulfilling its mission.   BGCO has a rich history in the Bay Area, having served the community of Oakland for 67 years and counting.    “We are delighted by these new additions to the Board of Directors,” proclaims Cal Stanley, President of Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland.  “Each member brings a tremendous amount of intellectual capital as well connections to the community.  These connections will strengthen our support base and increase our ability to make a difference in the community.”  The new board members are Sid Ewing, Carl Washington, Marc Homertgen, Adnan Siddiqui, and Jason Curliano. 

Sid P. Ewing – Mr. Ewing is a Senior Vice President of CB Richard Ellis’ Northern California office in Oakland.  He consults and assists users with the negotiation and execution of real estate transactions as well as assisting Landlords to secure and position assets for sale or stabilize the property for income.  He has represented several prominent clients including Bank of America, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratories, Safeway Inc, the State of California, and the University of California.   Mr. Ewing has been active in commercial real estate since 1991 and earned a Bachelor of Science in Real Estate & Urban Land use from California State University, Sacramento.

Carl D. Washington - Mr. Washington has spent over 25 years in the high technology industry ranging from fortune 500 to start up companies, including IBM, Xerox, Hewlett-Packard, Storage Technology, Commerce One and Filepool.  He was most recently with EMC in the role of Manager of Global Alliances Group.  Mr. Washington’s previous functional experience includes business development, channel sales, product marketing, manufacturing, optical engineering, software engineering, and research and development. Mr. Washington has a MBA degree from University of California at Los Angeles, a Masters of Science degree in Optical Engineering from University of Rochester, and a Bachelors of Science degree in Physics from Denison University in Granville, OH.

Marc Homertgen - Mr. Homertgen is a Senior Vice President for Bank of America’s Commercial Banking Division in Oakland providing corporate finance solutions for companies located throughout the greater San Francisco Bay Area.  Marc has a degree in Business Administration and Economics from Saint Mary’s College of California.  His extracurricular activities include coaching youth sports and serving on the Board of Directors of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland.  Marc resides in Oakland with his wife Mandana and his twins, Emma and Michael. 

Adnan Siddiqui - Mr. Siddiqui is a Vice President and District Manager for Wells Fargo Bank in Oakland, California. An 8-year veteran of the company, Mr. Siddiqui is responsible for more than $2 billion in assets and more than 200 team members. Prior to joining Wells Fargo Bank, he was in the Consumer Banking Group at Citibank, N.A. for the Asian Pacific and North America.  Mr. Siddiqui holds master’s degrees in Finance & Economics and Computer Information Systems from University of Wales and University of San Francisco.

Jason J. Curliano -  Mr. Curliano is a partner at Buty & Curliano LLP in Oakland which practices in the areas of employment, toxics, business, real estate, healthcare and general litigation.   Mr. Curliano has served as Co-Chair of the Alameda County Bar Association Barristers Club, Chair of the Association of Defense Counsel Employment Law Committee, as well as currently serving on the Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Oakland.   Mr. Curliano has an undergraduate degree from the University of California Davis and a Juris Doctor Degree from McGeorge School of Law where he graduated with distinction and as a member of the Traynor Academic Honor Society.  Mr. Curliano has also been honored as a Northern California Super Lawyer.  Before going to law school Mr. Curliano was a member of the United States Luge Team.  Mr. Curliano now enjoys actively giving back to the community, spending time with his two teenage sons, and working on developing the next generation of young attorneys.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland’s mission is to develop our community’s youth into positive contributors to society.  Now in its 67th year, the Club continues to provide safe places to learn and grow, opportunities for ongoing relationships with caring adult professionals, life-enhancing programs, and other character development experiences each year for over 2,500 girls and boys, ages 6 to 17. The organization supplements the endeavors of our families and our schools, and plans to serve a minimum of 5,000 Oakland youth in the near future.  If you believe in what we do and would like to show your support you may do so by visiting www.bgcoakland.org.

The festivities will also include live and silent auction items featuring and elegant cuisine. The event is supported by top-level sponsors The Men’s Wearhouse, Bank of the West, Wells Fargo, AssetMark Investment Services Inc., Bank of America, The Clorox Company, Matson Navigation Company, and Buty & Curliano LLP.  Sponsorships ranging from $1,500 to $15,000 are still available and individual tickets are $150 each.

Dominique Dawes who will draw from her past experience as a member of the US Women’s Gymnastics team to bring home the message—Success is a Journey, NOT a Destination—is an inspiring and timely theme for our audience as the 2008 Summer Olympic Games appear on the horizon.  

At the 1996 Olympic Games Dominique and the U.S. Gymnastics team made history and stole the hearts of Americans with their team gold medal. At those same Games, “Awesome Dawesome” (as she is known by her coach and teammates) became the first African-American to win an individual gymnastics medal with her bronze on the floor. Following her triumphs at the Olympics, Dominique appeared on the Wheaties cereal box, performed in music videos by Prince and Missy Elliott, and acted on a number of television shows. Dominique has also appeared on Broadway in the hit musical “Grease,” where she played the part of Patty Simcox.

The Youth of the Year program, which is administered by Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) and has been nationally sponsored by the Reader’s Digest Foundation since 1947, recognizes outstanding contributions to a member’s family, school, community and Boys & Girls Club, as well as personal challenges and obstacles overcome.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland’s mission is to develop our community’s youth into positive contributors to society. Now in its 67th year, the Club continues to provide safe places to learn and grow, opportunities for ongoing relationships with caring adult professionals, life-enhancing programs, and other character development experiences each year for over 2,500 boys and girls, ages 6 to 17. The organization supplements the endeavors of our families and our schools, and plans to serve a minimum of 5,000 Oakland youth in the near future.  Please visit our website to learn more about our mission and programs www.bgcoakland.org.

For those interested in sponsorship or ticket information, please contact Vicki Cosgrove at vcosgrove@bgcoakland.org or 510-444-8211 x 13.

OAKLAND, California|December 11 , 2007
-Auto Parts is teaming up this school year with Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland to support Power Hour, the Club’s interactive after-school program which provides tutoring, homework assistance and academic enrichment activities to its student-members, ages 6-17. Power Hour is conducted at the Library and Learning Centers and Teen Centers at each of the Club’s three branches – the Ossian E. Carr Branch in East Oakland, Leonard J. Meltzer Branch in West Oakland, and Anna Marie Whalen Branch in Central East Oakland. This $10,000 grant is part of a new national partnership between CARQUEST Auto Parts and Boys & Girls Clubs of America to promote learning and help young people achieve better lives for themselves through education.

CARQUEST Auto Parts has more than 3,400 locations throughout North America. It is the premier supplier of replacement products, accessories, supplies and equipment for virtually all makes and models of automobiles, as well as light and heavy-duty trucks, off-road equipment, buses, recreational vehicles and agricultural equipment. Additionally, CARQUEST distributes and sells tools, equipment, chemicals, paint and accessories.

According to Ronné Sims, Education Director, Anna Marie Whalen Branch, “Power Hour is the single most important hour of the afternoon for our student-members. The systematic homework assistance, tutoring, and enrichment activities are all structured to ignite a passion for learning and create a foundation for members to set and achieve higher academic goals.”

Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland’s mission is to develop our community’s youth into positive contributors to society. Now in its 66th year, the Club continues to provide safe places to learn and grow, opportunities for ongoing relationships with caring adult professionals, life-enhancing programs, and other character development experiences each year for over 2,000 girls and boys, ages 6 to 17. The organization supplements the endeavors of our families and our schools, and plans to serve a minimum of 5,000 Oakland youth in the near future.

Please call Karin Seid at 510-444-8211 for more information.

OAKLAND, California|October 29, 2004
- Kragen Auto Parts will present a new passenger van to Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland at a special unveiling event today, April 11, 2006, at 2:30 p.m. at the Club’s Anna Marie Whalen Branch, located at 3300 High Street. The donation will enable Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland to expand its capacity to provide transportation to many of its student-members at each of its three Clubhouses. Since 1998, CSK Auto, Inc. has donated over $2 million for Clubs across the United States to purchase passenger vans as part of its national transportation initiative with Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

“Kragen Auto Parts is committed to working with Boys & Girls of Oakland and the young people of our community,” said Ron Stahl, Regional Vice President of Kragen Auto Parts. “We are proud to be part of CSK Auto, Inc.’s national partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs across the country.” Marcus Vasquez, District Manager of Kragen Auto Parts in the Oakland area, will join Mr. Stahl to make the presentation, the company’s second donation in three years to Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland.

CSK Auto, Inc., based in Phoenix, AZ, is the largest automotive parts and accessories specialty retailer in the western United States and is one of the largest such retailers in the nation. The company operates more than 1,260 stores in 22 states under four brand names: Checker Auto Parts in the Southwest, Rocky Mountain and Northern Plains regions, and Hawaii; Schuck’s Auto Supply in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska; Kragen Auto Parts in California; and Murray’s Discount Auto Stores in the Midwest.

“An essential part of providing positive after-school alternatives is the ability to safely and reliably transport our student-members to and from the branches and offsite activities such as field trips to museums, plays and sporting events,” according to Calvester R. Stanley, Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland President.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland’s mission is to develop our community’s youth into positive contributors to society. Now in its 65th year, the Club continues to provide safe places to learn and grow, opportunities for ongoing relationships with caring adult professionals, life-enhancing programs, and other character development experiences each year for over 3,200 girls and boys, ages 6 to 17. The organization plans to expand its capacity to serve a minimum of 5,000 youth - more than 10% of Oakland Unified School District’s enrollment.

Companies and individuals who are interested in supporting Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland are invited to serve as volunteers and/or sponsor a Club program. Several naming opportunities, as well as the opportunity to purchase personalized commemorative bricks at the Anna Marie Whalen Clubhouse - the newest of the Club’s three branches, are also available.

Please call Karin Seid at 510-444-8211 for more information.

OAKLAND, California|October 29, 2004
Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland Celebrates National Boys & Girls Club Week
All Three Clubhouses to Host Community Open House on Friday, April 7

Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland will join Clubs across the country to celebrate The Positive Place for Kids during National Boys & Girls Club Week, April 3-8, 2006. The slate of activities will include a SMART Moves “Healthy Cooking Class” at the Anna Marie Whalen Branch (3300 High Street) on Wednesday, April 5; Games Room “Tournament of Champions” at the Ossian E. Carr Branch (8530 International Boulevard) and “March Madness Games Tournament” at the Leonard J. Meltzer Branch (920 - 24th Street) from April 4-8; and basketball tournaments at each Clubhouse. All three branches will also host a Community Open House on Friday, April 7. All events are open to Club members, their families, neighbors, and the community-at-large.

This year marks Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s centennial celebration of changing children’s lives. In 1906, 53 facilities banded together to form the Federated Boys Clubs of Boston and gave birth to a national movement. Today there are more than 3,300 clubs in all 50 states serving more than 4.4 million young people.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland has been serving local youth for over 65 years. In pursuit of its mission to develop our community’s youth into positive contributors to society, the Club continues to provide safe places to learn and grow, opportunities for ongoing relationships with caring adult professionals, life-enhancing programs, and other character development experiences each year for over 3,200 girls and boys, ages 6 to 17. The organization plans to expand its capacity to serve a minimum of 5,000 youth - 10% of Oakland Unified School District’s enrollment.

Companies and individuals who are interested in supporting Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland are invited to serve as volunteers and/or sponsor a Club program. Several naming opportunities, as well as the opportunity to purchase personalized commemorative bricks at the Anna Marie Whalen Clubhouse, are also available.

Please call Karin Seid at 510-444-8211 for a complete schedule of National Boys & Girls Club Week local activities or more information.

OAKLAND, California|October 29, 2004
Martin Moreno is a true example of an extraordinary youth. At age 16, he has been recently selected as the Youth of the Year for Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland.

The Youth of the Year program, which is administered by Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) and has been nationally sponsored by the Reader’s Digest Foundation since 1947, recognizes outstanding contributions to a member’s family, school, community and Boys & Girls Club, as well as personal challenges and obstacles overcome.

“The Reader’s Digest Foundation has been the proud sponsor of the Youth of the Year program for 59 years,” said Susan Fraysse Russ, executive director, Reader’s Digest Foundation. “We are thrilled that we can honor amazing teens like Martin Moreno for their dedication and hard work.”

Moreno is a two-year member of Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland, where he is a tutor and member of the Junior Staff Development Team and Keystone Club. As a junior honors student at St. Joseph’s Notre Dame High School, he presently maintains a 3.67 overall GPA and actively participates in the Latino Club and Winter Festival of the Arts. He has also helped develop and lead prejudice and discrimination awareness workshops at several high schools and youth centers through Diversity Works, a local non-profit organization, and is a member of the national Spanish Honors Society. Moreno plans to attend the University of California, San Diego, and major in computer science, and eventually would like to own his own internet-based company.

Calvester R. Stanley, Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland President, characterizes Moreno as “an exemplary and well-liked young man who has earned the respect of his peers, teachers, and Club staff through his excellent leadership abilities, integrity, creativity, and strong work ethic.”

Moreno will compete against other Boys & Girls Club student-members for the Youth of the Year title for the state of California and a $1,000 scholarship. If Moreno wins at the state level, then he will compete for the title of Pacific Region Youth of the Year and a $10,000 scholarship.

The five regional winners will travel to Washington, D.C., to compete for the title of BGCA’s National Youth of the Year. The National Youth of the Year receives an additional $15,000 college scholarship and is installed by the President in an Oval Office ceremony.

As founding sponsor of the program, the Reader’s Digest Foundation has given nearly $8 million to BGCA, and 58 teens have been named National Youth of the Year.

OAKLAND, California|April 1, 2005
Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland Celebrates National Boys & Girls Club Week
Special Events Include Community Barbecue and Opening of New Technology CenterOAKLAND, California, April 1, 2005 - Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland will join Clubs across the country to celebrate National Boys & Girls Club Week, April 3-9, 2005. The slate of activities will be highlighted by the opening of the new, state-of-the-art Technology Center at the Anna Marie Whalen Branch (3300 High Street) on Friday, April 8 at 2:00 p.m.; a Community Barbecue at the Ossian E. Carr Branch (8530 International Boulevard) on Friday, April 8 at 3:00 p.m.; and a basketball tournament at the Leonard J. Meltzer Branch (920 - 24th Street) on Thursday, April 7 at 6:00 p.m. All events are open to Club members, their families, and the community. Meltzer Clubhouse members will also visit the UC Berkeley campus during the week as part of the Club’s national College Tour.

Computers for the new Technology Center were donated by AssetMark Investment Services, Inc., and Boys & Girls Clubs of America. The Anna Marie Whalen Clubhouse, the newest of the Club’s three branches, will eventually serve up to 2,000 Central East Oakland girls and boys. The 23,000 square foot facility also features a Library and Learning Center, Arts & Crafts Center, fully-equipped Culinary Arts Kitchen, Recreation Room, Teen Center and Study, Music Rooms, and the spectacular Simpson Family Gymnasium and Performing Arts Center.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland’s mission is to develop our community’s youth into positive contributors to society. Now in its 64th year, the Club continues to provide safe places to learn and grow, opportunities for ongoing relationships with caring adult professionals, life-enhancing programs, and other character development experiences each year for over 2,500 girls and boys, ages 6 to 17. The organization plans to expand its capacity to serve a minimum of 5,000 youth - 10% of Oakland Unified School District’s enrollment.

Companies and individuals who are interested in supporting Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland are invited to serve as volunteers and/or sponsor a Club program. Several naming opportunities, as well as the opportunity to purchase personalized commemorative bricks at the Anna Marie Whalen Clubhouse, are also available.

Please call Karin Seid at 510-444-8211 for more information.

OAKLAND, California|March 30, 2005
Citigroup Announces $100,000 Grant Award and Black History Month Essay Contest Winners

OAKLAND, California, March 30, 2005 - Citigroup will announce the winners of its Black History Month Essay Contest at a special reception to be held today, March 30, 2005, at 4:00 p.m. at Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland’s Anna Marie Whalen Branch, located at 3300 High Street. The festivities will also feature a check presentation to Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland as part of $100,000 grant by Citigroup businesses in California, including Citibank, CitiFinancial, CitiMortgage and Smith Barney, to support financial education programs for youth in five Boys & Girls Clubs statewide. The event will be attended by Citibank executives, city officials and Club members.

The grant will enable the Clubs to teach the Citigroup Financial Education Curriculum this year to over 1,500 low-income students, ages six to 18. The essay contest will award prizes, including $100 to $500 in cash and sports event excursions, to the Club members who wrote the top essays on “Recognizing African American Influential Leaders.” Judges included Citibank executives and other distinguished city officials and community members.

“We are proud to recognize and celebrate the achievements, history and culture of people of African heritage throughout the year, but especially with the Boys and Girls Clubs during Black History Month,” said Michael Weitzman, president of Citibank West. “Citigroup offered a wide variety of activities nationwide during the month of February that provided opportunities for people to learn more about the contributions that African Americans have made and are making to our society. We feel that we can help enrich peoples’ lives by providing them with a greater understanding of the cultures that make up the fabric of their communities.”

During Black History Month 2005, Citigroup hosted a variety of activities for its clients, employees and residents of the communities where it does business. Partnering with local cultural and educational organizations, Citigroup’s businesses sponsored major African American art and historic exhibitions. One hundred of Citibank’s Financial Centers located around the country also hosted Gospel Brunches in conjunction with community-based churches and nonprofits to showcase musical contributions made by African Americans. And in Washington, DC, Citibank sponsored financial education workshops led by financial lecturer and PBS talk show host Kelvin Boston.

According to Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland President Calvester R. Stanley, “Citigroup’s financial education program will help provide our young Club members with the resources and tools to learn how to save and manage money responsibly.”

The Anna Marie Whalen Clubhouse is one of three Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland branches. Now in its 64th year, the Club continues to provide safe places to learn and grow, opportunities for ongoing relationships with caring adult professionals, life-enhancing programs, and other character development experiences each year for over 2,500 girls and boys, ages 6 to 17. The organization plans to expand its capacity to serve a minimum of 5,000 youth - 10% of Oakland Unified School District’s enrollment.

Please call Karin Seid at 510-444-8211 for more information.