GL Homes and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County recently launched their annual Back-To-School Drive to help reduce a historic achievement gap with low-income, minority students by providing a free backpack stuffed with necessary school supplies.
A recent study published by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) found that minority students from low-income households suffered a 50 percent greater achievement loss than other students compared to pre-pandemic achievement results. The study exposed a historic widening of achievement gaps by race and economic status.
“GL Homes understands that this is a crucial time for all students, but the children supported by Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County have been impacted the most by the pandemic and need our help,” GL Homes Senior Director of Community Relations Sarah Alsofrom said. “It’s important for GL Homes to do our part to help the community fully recover.”
GL Homes is the title sponsor of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County’s Back-To-School Drive. The company’s support is crucial to helping more than 2,500 children and teens across the county who live at or below the poverty line receive a backpack full of needed school supplies. With the results of the NBER study uncovering a historic achievement gap, it’s imperative that all club members return to the classroom with the essential tools needed to be successful.
“Across our 17 locations, all Boys & Girls Clubs in Palm Beach County are focused on ensuring all club members can graduate on time and with a plan for the future,” Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County President & CEO Jaene Miranda said. “In addition to the Back-To-School Drive, 110 certified teachers will work with club members daily throughout the summer to lessen the widening achievement gap. With the help of GL Homes, the Back-To-School Drive will be a success and provide the school supplies that most club members would not receive without the generous support of our community.”
The GL Homes and Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County Back-To-School Drive started June 1 and will run through Aug. 1. Drop-off locations for backpacks and school supplies are scattered throughout Palm Beach County, including most libraries and Starbucks. Drop off locations open to the public can be found at https://bit.ly/3x9RULS. Donations can also be made virtually by purchasing backpacks stuffed with needed school supplies for only $10. To donate online, visit www.bgcpbc.org/btsdrive.
