Framed in the life of a young Puerto Rican with great aspirations, Boys & Girls Clubs of Puerto Rico (BGCPR), a non-profit and community-based organization, presents its new public service announcement (PSA). The campaign spokesperson, Anaís M. Figueroa García, invites everyone to walk a mile in the shoes of the thousands of youth she represents, all participants of BGCPR. The PSA is accessible at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUGhihhxQUA&feature=youtu.be
Ms. Figueroa, BGCPR Youth of the Year 2020, studies engineering at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez campus. She attended Boys & Girls Club of San Lorenzo, where she was able to develop her social skills, after moving from the United States to live with her grandmother at the age of six. “BGCPR came into my life at the right time because, through the different experiences and with the support of Club staff, I was able to find the stability that I so badly needed,” highlights the young woman who aspires to become a mechanical engineer and entrepreneur.
The story of Anaís illustrates the reality that thousands of youth go through in the communities that the organization serves, and that contributes to the levels of poverty that 58% of Puerto Rican children and youth live in. The PSA is part of the fundraising efforts for the “Ponte en sus zapatos” (Put yourself in their shoes) campaign, which the organization launched earlier this year.
The campaign invites us to empathize with the children, youth and families who receive services at BGCPR, 90% of whom live in poverty. Services include hot meals, leadership and career development and innovation, betting on a better future for themselves and their communities.
“Puerto Rico is a hotbed of talent like our current Youth of the Year. Today, more than ever, the children and youth of this beautiful archipelago need our empathy. The support that we can give them and their families will allow them to access more resources to achieve their academic, professional and personal goals, and obtain a great future”, stated Olga Ramos Carrasquillo, president of BGCPR.
She added that the campaign “invites us to inspire and motivate others to contribute to the formation of the next agents of change in Puerto Rico and the world. It is possible to
transform the future by educating children and youth, and by supporting them and their families. With her donation, we impact this and future generations that deserve a better quality of life”, concluded Ramos Carrasquillo.
With 53 years of service on the Island and over 300 professionals passionate about education and human development, BGCPR provides service from its 11 service centers (Clubs) to thousands of boys, girls, youth and their families.
To continue transforming lives through educational services, career counseling, physical and holistic activities, hot and nutritious meals, arts, and family support for participants, BGCPR needs funds and support from allies, donors and contributors.
To download the public service announcement, visit: https://we.tl/t-872OXuRH2s (English version with English subtitles)
If you want to contribute to the “Ponte en sus zapatos” campaign, go to donate.bgcpr.org, or make your donation through ATHmóvil using the pATH /BoysAndGirlsClubsDePR. For more information, look for BGCPR on social media such as Boys & Girls Clubs de Puerto Rico (Facebook and BGCPR (YouTube and Twitter), or at the organization’s website: bgcpr.org.