Boys & Girls Clubs of Oceanside Receives Grant from McCarthy Family Foundation for STREAMing Ahead program

Oceanside, CA (August 2019) –Boys & Girls Clubs of Oceanside (BGCO) received $15,000 in grant funding from McCarthy Family Foundation to enhance their STREAMing (Science, Technology, Research, Engineering, Arts and Math) Ahead program.

Seven years ago, BGCO implemented the STREAMing Ahead program to ensure that youth were receiving the skills and tools they needed to be better prepared for careers in STREAM fields. The program includes hands- on experiments and partnerships with companies like Nordson who recently visited the Club to teach our members about the importance of recycling and assisted our members in planting their very own trees!

BGCO uses experiential learning, allowing youth to apply what they have learned to real world problems. For example, instead of just talking about the mechanics of sustainable farming, youth harvest organic produce at a local farm and talk to local chefs about their experience with cooking farm to table meals.

While girls and minorities are traditionally underrepresented in STEM fields, half of BGCO members are female and over 80% are from minority backgrounds. Through this program, BGCO is bridging the STEM gap, helping spark a passion for science and helping youth develop the 21st century skills necessary to be competitive in STEM careers.

“We are grateful for community supporters like the McCarthy Family Foundation who share our dedication to increasing access to science education. With their support, youth will find their passion for science and technology and be better prepared to pursue careers in these fields,” said Jodi Diamond, CEO.

For more information about the Boys & Girls Clubs of Oceanside please contact Vanessa Mendez at vmendez@BGCOceanside.org, call (760) 433-8920, and visit our website BGCOceanside.org or Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/BGCOside.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of Oceanside

Boys & Girls Clubs of Oceanside (BGCO) is a youth development organization that is dedicated to providing a safe, fun and enriching environment for youth to spend time during non-school hours.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Oceanside is a local, independent organization affiliated with Boys & Girls Clubs of America. BGCO raises 100% of the funds that support our life changing programs through individual giving, events and grants. 100% of those funds stay right here in North County to serve youth in our local communities.

We continue to uphold our mission: To inspire, develop and enrich young people to reach their fullest potential as confident, responsible, caring members of society.

About McCarthy Family Foundation

The McCarthy Family Foundation is a small private foundation established in 1988. Organized as a California public benefit nonprofit corporation, it operates from San Diego, California. The majority officers and directors are members of the McCarthy extended family (two generations).
The foundation operates with 1 part-time staff person and its directors serve without compensation for administration and grant evaluation purposes. Originally funded with $1 million, foundation assets have grown from additional family contributions and investment results to approximately $12 million at the end of 2017.