Kids In CrisisOpen a Door To a Great Future

Microsoft Mobilizes YouthSpark to Create Opportunities for 300 Million Youth Around the World

Microsoft hopes to create opportunities for youth through a range of global programs, delivered in partnership with governments, other businesses and nonprofits, including Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

On Sept. 20, Microsoft Corp. announced a new global initiative, Microsoft YouthSpark, that aims to create opportunities for 300 million youth in more than 100 countries during the next three years. This companywide initiative includes citizenship and other company programs — both new and enhanced — that empower youth to imagine and realize their full potential by connecting them with greater opportunities for education, employment and entrepreneurship.

Through Microsoft YouthSpark, the company is partnering with several nonprofit partners to help them reach their goal. As part of this initiative, BGCA will launch the “Great Futures Challenge” which will encourage teens in our Clubs to develop ideas that solve business and societal issues. These ideas will then be put into a website where consumers can help support the Club members’ ideas by providing donations/funding to bring them into reality.

This initiative should help our teens grasp a deeper understanding of their world, while enhancing skills critical for success -- all to prepare our Club members for a great future!

Clubs employ some 51,000 trained professional staff.