Toyota Financial Services Reaffirms Its On-Going Commitment to Addressing Nationwide High School Dropout Rates with a $500,000 Donation to 35 Boys & Girls Clubs

March 25, 2014

TORRANCE, Calif., (March 25, 2014) – Toyota Financial Services (TFS) pledges $500,000 to 35 Boys & Girls Clubs as part of its on-going commitment to addressing the national high school dropout rate. Boys & Girls Clubs encourage high school graduation and college readiness by helping youth develop the academic, behavioral and social skills needed to be successful. According to a recent survey conducted at local Clubs, 97% of Club teens expect to graduate from high school, and 28% of Club Alumni said they would have dropped out without the Club’s influence.

Denise Aranda, a 12^th grader at Carson High School in Carson, California, experienced the traumatic loss of both of her parents at a young age. In 11^th grade, she joined the Boys & Girls Clubs of Carson in search of a positive environment with caring adults to provide her with the support she needed. After joining the Club, things improved in her life. Now a senior, Denise is looking forward to graduating high school and a great future.

“After all the deaths in my family, I felt like there was nothing to live for,” said Denise. “Because of the great people, friends, and family the Boys & Girls Clubs have provided, I stand here today grateful and hopeful for the future.”

“Making a difference in just one member’s life is critical to the success of our youth and our nation’s future,” said Mike Groff, President and CEO of TFS and National Trustee for the Boys & Girls Club of America (BGCA). “Toyota is committed to combating the national dropout crisis by supporting BGCA’s academic success programs, and also focused on making a difference at a local level with over 200 TFS volunteers serving as mentors at local Boys & Girls Clubs.”

In collaboration with The Darden Restaurants, Inc. Foundation Toyota currently supports the academic success of thousands of Boys & Girls Clubs teens through a college-readiness program called Diplomas to Degrees (d2D). The additional $500K donation will help Clubs supplement their current programs, offer support for Club operations, and increase their capacity to serve more youth.

The 35 Boys & Girls Clubs will benefit from the donation, which is an increase from last year’s donation with the addition of 19 new Clubs.

Learn more here: http://toyota.us/1hiErUI

Courtesy of Toyota Media