Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County, specifically the South Haven Club, announced its selection by Longhorn Steakhouse in Portage, IN to receive a $1,000 grant as part of the Restaurant Community Grants program from the Darden Restaurants Foundation, the charitable arm of Darden Restaurants. The annual grants program empowers each Longhorn Steak House locations to help award a $1,000 grant to support local community programs. The donation will enable our South Haven Club to implement the Diplomas 2 Degrees Program. Diplomas 2 Degrees is an intensive college readiness program that helps provide tools, resources, and the support Boys & Girls Club teen members need to better prepare for the transition from high school students to college graduates. The program is designed to help short and long-term goals; explore post-secondary institutions to become familiar with the college lifestyle; pursue and secure essential financial assistance; and foster supportive relationships with caring adults who can provide ongoing advice and mentorship throughout their academic experience.
“For some time, Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County has been wanting to give our Club Teen members a college tour experience where they can visit a community college, two-year and traditional universities, specialized schools, and an out-of-state college. We are so fortunate to have Longhorn Steak House’s support our commitment to academic success as we implement this program at our South Haven Club. This experience will help our teens explore higher education opportunities,” states Dan Welch, director of programs and outcomes.
“We’re proud to be able to support [Organization Name] through our Restaurant Community Grants program,” said Stephanie Ghertner, Director of the Darden Foundation. “Our team members are incredibly passionate about getting involved in their local communities, and this program enables them to do just that.”
The Darden Foundation
The Darden Restaurants, Inc. Foundation is the charitable arm of Darden Restaurants, Inc. The Darden Foundation’s mission is to maintain a spirit of service and community engagement as defining characteristics of Darden’s family of restaurants – Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Bahama Breeze, Seasons 52, The Capital Grille, Eddie V’s and Yard House. Since 1995, the Darden Foundation has awarded more than $71 million in grants to leading nonprofit organizations that align with its mission and community priorities: Recipe for Success®, Preservation of Natural Resources and Good Neighbor grants. Through the Darden Harvest program, Darden Restaurants has also donated more than 77 million pounds of food to hunger relief agencies across the U.S. and Canada. In 2011, the Darden Foundation introduced the Restaurant Community Grants program that is dedicated to supporting local nonprofit organizations in the hundreds of communities where we live and serve. For more information, please visit www.dardenfoundation.com.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County
Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County has been opening doors to GREAT FUTURES for Porter County’s youth since 1971. Clubs are open after school and provide a great place for youth in grades K-12 to meet friends and have fun while in a safe, supervised environment. Clubs are also open during holidays and in the summer. Annual membership is only $35.00. Financial assistance is available to those who qualify. For information on membership, volunteer opportunities, or to make a tax deductible donation to Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County, please contact your local Club, call (219) 464-7282 or visit www.bgcpoco.org. Great Futures Start HERE.