BUILD Boston recently received a $5,000 grant from the BJ’s Charitable Foundation. BUILD will use the grant provide food and supplies for the Boston high school students in our after-school College Access Program.
“We are thrilled to have BJ’s partner with us in helping disadvantaged Boston students acquire the motivation, skills and academic credentials they need to succeed in college,” said Ayele Shakur, BUILD Boston Regional Executive Director. “We are grateful that BJ’s recognizes and supports our effective program for these deserving and hard-working students.”
BUILD Boston works with about 200 students who—apart from BUILD—would have a less than 50% of graduating high school on time and getting accepted to college. In BUILD’s 15-year history, 95% of its students have gone on to college.
“The BJ’s Charitable Foundation is dedicated to supporting hunger prevention, self-sufficiency, healthcare and education in the communities surrounding our Clubs,” said Jessica Newman, Executive Director of the BJ’s Charitable Foundation. “BJ’s Charitable Foundation donated a total of $431,000 to 70 nonprofit charitable organizations across our footprint during this grant cycle, and we hope these donations benefit the incredible efforts of our partners working to impact the lives of individuals and families and enable them to continue to provide crucial services to those in need.”
About BUILD
BUILD’s mission is to use entrepreneurship to excite and propel disengaged, low-income students through high school to college success. BUILD helps students develop their own business ideas, write business plans, pitch to funders and launch real businesses. As they reap the rewards—from keeping their profits to gaining self-confidence—they see the connection between the classroom and career success. Entrepreneurship is the hook, but college is the goal.
About BJ’s Charitable Foundation
BJ’s Charitable Foundation was established with the mission to enrich every community BJ’s Wholesale Clubs serve. The Foundation supports nonprofit organizations that primarily benefit the underprivileged in the area of basic needs (hunger prevention, self-sufficiency, education and health). For more information about BJ’s Charitable Foundation, please visit, www.bjs.com/charity
