Olympia, WA – August 1, 2011 – Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) has named Danielle Adams, a 4-year member of the Tumwater Boys & Girls Club, the 2011-12 Darden Scholar. She receives a $3,000 college scholarship from Recipe for Success™ workshop sponsor Darden Restaurants, Inc. Foundation. Adams was one of 68 members selected as a BGCA Darden Scholar after participating in the highly interactive, college-readiness workshop.
Recipe for Success focuses on inspiring Boys & Girls Club members to pursue their dreams and set ambitious goals by introducing them to the possibilities of postsecondary education. The program strives to support Boys & Girls Club’s mission of enabling youth to reach their full potential and achieve a great future. The two-hour workshop assisted the participants in exploring potential career paths and areas of study; provided tools and resources for academic planning; and helped them to develop financial management skills and research tips for scholarship funding sources. Workshop participants were also given insight on the importance of setting goals; balancing school, family and social life; and the impact social networking has on their lives beyond high school.
Danielle’s favorite part of Club has always been working with the younger kids and doing art activities. This summer Danielle transitioned from Club member to staff member at the Tumwater Club and has been an invaluable asset to the summer staff team. She credits the Club with giving her valuable work and volunteer experience that will help her in the future.
This last school year Danielle excelled academically and, in addition to the Darden scholarship, was the recipient of a Rotary scholarship. She was also the captain of her school’s dance team and taught dance to younger kids outside of school. Teaching and guiding younger kids is Danielle’s passion. In the fall she will attend Western Washington University to major in education and plans to teach elementary school in the future. She is thrilled to have received this scholarship as she would be unable to attend college without it.
“Darden believes in creating opportunities for others,” said Angela Woods, director of Darden Restaurants, Inc. Foundation. “Recipe for Success is designed to enable and empower youth to pave their own path to success by providing access to the tools and information necessary to navigate the process of postsecondary education.”
About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (www.bgca.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, nearly 4,000 Boys & Girls Clubs serve some 4 million children and teens through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native American lands throughout the country and on U.S. military installations worldwide. They provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Priority programs emphasize academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 57 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta.
About Darden Restaurants, Inc. Foundation
The Darden Restaurants, Inc. Foundation (“Foundation”) is a private nonprofit corporation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and was organized to administer charitable funds for the benefit of communities. The Foundation’s sponsor is Darden Restaurants, Inc. (“Darden”). Darden (NYSE:DRI) is the world’s largest company-owned and operated full-service restaurant company with over $7.1 billion in annual sales and approximately 180,000 employees. Its brands – Red Lobster, Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, The Capital Grille, Bahama Breeze and Seasons 52 – reflect the rich diversity of those who dine in its restaurants. Darden is recognized for a culture that rewards caring for and responding to people. That defines service for Darden. The Darden Restaurants, Inc. Foundation works to bring to life this spirit of service through its philanthropic support of charitable organizations across the country as well as the volunteer involvement of its employees. With more than 1,800 restaurants, Darden strives to have an enduring and positive influence on the communities it serves. For more information, please visit our website at www.Darden.com.
