NASHUA, NH  -  The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Nashua has received a $25,000 grant from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation to support its educational program called Power Hour.  Power Hour is a homework assistance program that reinforces classroom learning and supplements educational efforts.  The program is structured to motivate and reward members for completing their homework assignments and being ready for school.

The Power Hour program provides children with support, resources, and the guidance necessary to complete their homework, be prepared to start the school day, and improve their commitment to academics.  Power Hour offers structured time, a consistent process, and a dedicated place for Club members to receive home work help from staff, trained volunteers, and peer leaders.  Earning points for rewards, incentives, prizes and special activities, and being recognized for their accomplishments motivates members to complete homework and bonus educational activities. Power Hour also offers tutoring and educational reinforcement programs for members who need supplemental or remedial help in certain subjects.

“Education and career development is a core Boys & Girls Club program,” said Norm Bouthilette, the Club’s CEO.  “Sadly, we are seeing more and more youth whose parents are not able, or even willing, to help them with homework or academic readiness.  This generous grant from Bank of America Charitable Foundation will help us reach and serve these at-risk children and other members who seek homework help every day at our Club and at our five other Greater Nashua locations.” 

    “The Boys & Girls Club plays a critical role in helping our community’s children gain the skills they need to succeed in life,” said John F. Weeks, President, Bank of America New Hampshire.  “These funds will have a direct impact on this fine organization’s ability to continue the great work they perform every day.”

The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Nashua annually serves 4,200 boys and girls ages 6 – 18  in six locations throughout Nashua, Merrimack, Litchfield and reaches another 10,000 youngsters in the community with a variety of programs and wholesome activities to build attitudes, skills, values and behaviors that enable youth to succeed in adulthood.  Called “The Positive Place For Kids,” the Club is staffed with professional, caring adults and is open to all children.  Membership is $15 a year and no child is turned away for inability to pay.  To help and to get information, visit www.bgcn.com or call Leslie Sanderson at 883-0523, ext. 212.

Bank of America Corporate Philanthropy
Building on a long-standing tradition of investing in the communities it serves, Bank of America is in its fourth year of achieving an unprecedented 10-year goal to donate $1.5 billion to nonprofit organizations engaged in improving the health and vitality of their neighborhoods.  The Bank of America Charitable Foundation will give more than $225 million in 2008, making the bank the most generous financial institution in the world and the second largest donor of all U.S. corporations in cash contributions.  Bank of America approaches giving through a national strategy called "neighborhood excellence" under which it works with local leaders to identify and meet the most pressing needs of individual communities.  Through Team Bank of America, bank associate volunteers contributed more than 625,000 hours in 2007 to enhance the quality of life in their communities nationwide.  For more information about Bank of America Corporate Philanthropy, please visit www.bankofamerica.com/foundation.