Exceptional Boys & Girls Clubs Of Monterey County Teen Earns Youth Of The Year Honor

MONTEREY, Calif. - Dec. 13, 2013 - PRLog -- Seaside, CA – December 13, 2013 – The Boys & Girls Clubs of Monterey County (BGCMC) is proud to announce that 16 year-old Natasha Garibay was selected as the 2013 BGCMC Youth of the Year in a ceremony at the Seaside Clubhouse. Being named Youth of the Year is the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club Member can receive.

Natasha will serve as an Ambassador for BGCMC and community and become the official youth spokesperson for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Monterey County and the National Boys & Girls Clubs Movement. The Youth of the Year award recognizes outstanding contributions to a Member’s family, school, community and Boys & Girls Club, as well as the Member’s ability to overcome personal challenges and obstacles.

Youth of the Year encourages Club Members to reach their full potential by achieving academic success, leading healthy lifestyles and contributing to their communities. Youth of the Year honorees are living proof that great futures really do start at Boys & Girls Clubs.

“I am so proud to see Natasha receive this honor in recognition of her hard work not only in school and at the Club, but with her family as well.  Over her seven years here as a Club Member, I have watched Natasha break out of her shell and to awaken her hunger and drive to succeed. She discovered her passion for leadership and is now on an amazing path toward completing her education and realizing her dream of serving her country and becoming a Federal Agent," shares Donna Ferraro, CEO/President of Boys & Girls Clubs of Monterey County.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of Monterey County
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Monterey County has played an integral role in the community for 45 years, providing programs and services to 700-900 young people a day in their Seaside and Salinas Clubhouses. Over 95 percent of the budget supporting the two Clubhouses comes from generous individuals, corporations and foundations. The Clubs are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. during summer and school breaks, and from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. when school is in session. Additional information is available at www.bgcmc.org or via phone at (831) 394-5171.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (www.bgca.org) has enabled young people, especially those who need Clubs most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, some 4,000 Boys & Girls Clubs serve more than 4.2 million young people through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs can be found throughout the country and on U.S. military installations worldwide, providing young people 6-18 years old with guidance-oriented character development programs conducted by trained, professional staff. Key programs emphasize leadership development; education and career exploration; community service; technology training; financial literacy; health and life skills; the arts; sports, fitness and recreation; and family outreach. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 57 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta.