Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston has launched a public service campaign to express appreciation for frontline workers who continue to do what it takes to provide critical services during the COVID-19 pandemic. The campaign brings awareness about the role of healthcare workers, law enforcement officers, firefighters, educators and youth development/childcare workers in contributing to the health and safety of adults and children in the greater Houston area.
For the campaign, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston has partnered with Kroger, TDECU and Clear Channel for outdoor advertising on high traffic roadways, including Interstate 45, Loop 610 and Interstate 69/Highway 59. Additionally, the community has been invited to participate by displaying yard signs, and a social media campaign has been initiated, both efforts to reinforce the appreciation message. The billboards and signs read “Thank You for Keeping Kids Safe,” and feature drawings of a teacher, janitorial worker, police officer, firefighter, doctor and a Boys & Girls Clubs staffer, as well as Blue, the official Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston mascot.
“Frontline workers are key to the recovery process during the pandemic by keeping the community safe, treating those who are sick and educating and caring for children and teens,” says Kevin Hattery, President and CEO of Boy & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston. “We wanted to publicly salute all of the people in these service professions, including our own Club Directors and youth development staff who have worked so hard to keep our programming going and providing a safe haven for our members, ages six through 17.”
In the wake of the pandemic, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston has continually adapted its model to meet the needs of Club members and parents in innovative ways, including virtual programming, Blue Learning Labs for distance learning during school shutdowns and the On Demand Experience, with interactive, experiential learning. Club members have gotten help to keep them on track academically and to stay active through caring mentors who assist them with processing the many adjustments brought on by COVID.
In addition, the nonprofit addressed food insecurity with drive-thru food pantries at several Club locations, providing thousands of meals to families, and made more than 11,000 calls, texts and emails to parents for “wellness check-ins.” The information gleaned from this communication helped Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston adjust programming to address basic needs.
To learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston, please visit www.bgcgh.org.
