FightING
America’s High School Dropout CrisiS, LOCAL TACO BELL RESTAURANTS Award More
THAN $4,000 to Big Brothers Big Sisters
Palm Beach County, Florida. (May 25, 2012) – More than $4,000 was awarded to Big Brothers
Big Sisters of Palm Beach and Martin Counties (BBBS) by the Taco Bell
Foundation for Teens. The funds will support
real-world experiential programs that help Palm Beach and Martin County
teens stay in school and graduate. Big
Brothers Big Sisters of Palm Beach and Martin Counties will serve approximately
seventy-five teens through this Graduate to Go experience grant.
Teens from Big Brothers
Big Sisters of Palm Beach and Martin Counties will greatly benefit from this
grant. It will help to fund Big Brothers Big Sisters’ Career Skills Mentoring
Program. Career Based Mentoring is a program that provides middle school
children with the opportunity to gain employment skills. These students get
matched with a business mentor for on-the-job guidance. Students will also
receive a stipend and leave the program with meaningful job experience and
training.
“We are honored to be
recognized by the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens for our commitment to high
school graduation and long-term success among teens,” said William Bee, CEO of
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Palm Beach and Martin Counties. “It’s because of
partnerships like this that we are able to offer career, community and
educational experiences that inspire our teens to stay committed to
earning their high school degree and move on to great things in life.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Palm Beach and Martin
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 Big Brothers Big Sisters of Palm
Beach and Martin Counties
BBBS provides children facing adversity aged
6-17 with volunteer mentors who serve as positive role models. Since 1986 the organization
has provided mentors to children in Martin County and since July 2010 in Palm
Beach County. Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA) recognized the Martin
County organization in 2007 as one of the 35 best performing agencies
nationwide. BBBSA recognized CEO William P. Bee Jr. as “CEO of the Year- Small
Agency Category” in 2007. South Florida Business Leader Magazine ranked BBBS in
2009, 2010 and again in 2011 as one of the top 100 South Florida small
businesses. Visit www.mentorbig.org to learn more.
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