Family Dollar recently unveiled a new $1.3 million partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America to equip youth with the resources, support, and opportunities they need to feel empowered and become leaders in their communities. The donation will go towards supporting Boys & Girls Clubs of America's Think, Learn, Create Change (TLC) program.

Jim Clark, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, had the following to say about the program:

We know today’s young people are passionate about driving meaningful change in their communities.

Supporting youth leadership

Since 2014, Family Dollar has raised more than $6 million for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America through corporate donations, in-store cause campaigns, brand associations and employee donations.

In 2023, Family Dollar will support the youth development organization with a new focus on supporting the TLC platform, designed to empower Boys & Girls Club members to take action on critical issues and become agents of change through the creation and implementation of their own local advocacy projects.

“In fact, according to Youth Right Now, a recent survey featuring insights from more than 100,000 Boys & Girls Club members, ages 9-18, 88% of kids and teens in Boys & Girls Clubs feel they can stand up for what they think is right, even if their friends disagree. We are grateful for Family Dollar’s commitment to equipping young people with the advocacy tools they need to the leaders and changemakers of tomorrow,” added Clark.

Always a pleasure meeting with @SecCardona to talk about how we can work together to address youth needs & set all youth up for #greatfutures! Thank you for your leadership & support! pic.twitter.com/ziLW4arhIl

— Boys & Girls Clubs of America (@BGCA_Clubs) March 22, 2023

Think, Learn, Create Change

The Boys & Girls Clubs of America developed the TLC program to put youth at the center of their own advocacy experiences and support their ongoing active participation as local change agents.

The program challenges youth to:

• “Think” about positive change to identify issues that spark your passions
• “Learn” how to educate themselves on issues, where to locate credible facts (ensuring their understanding comes from many perspectives), and who has the power to support their project.
• “Create Change” by identifying tactics, implementing plans, determining metrics to monitor success, and driving change in local communities.

Additionally, through Family Dollar’s support, Boys & Girls Club youth and staff advisors will have the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C. to present their advocacy projects to their peers during the National organization’s premier youth advocacy event, Summit for America’s Youth (SAY). 

SAY provides an opportunity for selected teens, along with their adult mentors, to experience our nation's capital and hear from inspiring leaders, explore careers in government and public service, and connect with other SAY Club youth advocates across the country.

Club youth will receive training and hands-on advocacy experiences that they can use to better inform their own local advocacy plans guided by the TLC model.

“We strongly believe that every child deserves access to opportunities that help them reach their full potential, and Boys & Girls Clubs provide access to meaningful opportunities. Nearly half of all Family Dollar stores are within 10 miles of a Boys & Girls Club, and nearly 80% located within 25 miles of a Club, we believe it is our responsibility as community partners to empower youth to have a voice on the issues that matter to them,” said Kristin Tetreault, chief communication officer for Dollar Tree and Family Dollar.