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Club Receives $10,000 From The Gannett Foundation — Donations Will Help Support Tarrytown Educational Enrichment Program

Mount Kisco, NY (October 2, 2007) – The Boys & Girls Clubs of Northern Westchester recently received a $10,000 grant from the Gannett Foundation through The Journal News to help support its Tarrytown Center's after-school Educational Enrichment Program. The program serves primarily non-English speaking, academically at-risk children residing in Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow.

The Tarrytown Educational Enrichment Program is a combination of tested and proven youth development programs. Its multifaceted programming offers educational enrichment opportunities to strengthen learning and enhance computer skills, create a customized curriculum of programs for each child, furnish tutoring when needed, encourage personal goal setting, and provide mental health support.

"We greatly appreciate The Journal News and the Gannett Foundation's contribution to this invaluable program," said Brian Skanes, Executive Director, Boys & Girls Clubs of Northern Westchester. "The Tarrytown Educational Enrichment Program equips children with the necessary knowledge, skills, and support to help them learn English faster, perform better in school, develop a positive attitude toward learning, and set career goals and aspirations."

Tarrytown is one of the 11 most-needy communities in Westchester, according to the Westchester County Youth Bureau, with a disproportionately high number of at-risk children. Academically, the targeted population is underachieving in school, primarily due to language barriers. The most recent NYS School Report card (2004-2005) indicated that 49% of 8th grade Tarrytown students performed below level on the NYS Language Arts exam and 54% performed below level on the NYS Math exam (one of the poorest scores in Westchester). Tarrytown Center members demonstrate even lower academic performance. Without after-school educational enrichment, these children will not be able to pass the required Regent's exams when they get to high school and are at great risk of dropping out.

"The Journal News and the Gannett Foundation are pleased to support programs like the Tarrytown Educational Enrichment Program that make a significant impact on the youth in our local communities," said Jack Heidgerd, Vice President/Finance of the Gannett Foundation. "When we help our youth, we help make our county a better place to live and work."

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Northern Westchester is located at 351 Main Street, Mt. Kisco, NY and can be reached at (914) 666-8069 or visit www.bgcnw.com.

About The Gannett Foundation
The Gannett Foundation is a corporate foundation sponsored by Gannett Co., Inc., that gives grants to organizations in the communities in which Gannett owns a daily newspaper or television station. The Gannett Foundation's mission is to invest in the future of the communities in which Gannett does business, and in the future of its industry. The Foundation values projects that take a creative approach to fundamental issues such as education and neighborhood improvement, economic development, youth development, community problem-solving, assistance to disadvantaged people, environmental conservation and cultural enrichment.

About the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northern Westchester
Established in 1939, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northern Westchester is a non-profit organization dedicated to the service of all youth with a primary focus on children with special needs. Its mission is to enable all young people, especially those most in need, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens. The Club strives to keep fees low so that all youth can participate; financial aid is available to qualifying individuals. The Club serves more than 5,000 youth, boys and girls ages 6 months to 18 years, from more than 60 Northern Westchester communities and has been ranked among the outstanding Clubs in the national network of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. The main unit in Mt. Kisco, NY is a 36,000 square-foot facility featuring an 8-lane pool, Child Care Center, gymnasium, games room, two computer labs and a 1,600 square-foot Teen Center facility. The Club has two satellite programs: a youth and teen center in the Yorktown Community Center; and a full service program at the Community Opportunity Center in Tarrytown, NY.

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Boys & Girls Clubs of Northern Westchester
351 Main Street, Mt. Kisco, New York 10549 (914) 666-8069