Two Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver to Receive Critical Technology Upgrades to Support Stem Education

November 5, 2014 /3BL Media/ - It's projected that in the next decade there will be about 1 million more U.S. jobs in the tech sector than computer science graduates to fill them. Low-income youth are at a critical disadvantage when it comes to acquiring and practicing the STEM skills needed to succeed in college and a competitive global economy.

To help address this issue, Brakes Plus, University of the Rockies and Colorado Land Rover Retailers have partnered with CBS EcoMedia through its EducationAd program to fund upgrades to one full technology lab at Boettcher Boys & Girls Club and technology equipment at the J. Churchill Owen Boys & Girls Club.

Boettcher Boys & Girls Club is located in one of the most diverse and economically depressed areas in metro Denver. It serves hundreds of youth in the community each day and provides a safe, accessible place where young people can find the support they need. Outdated computers in its technology lab will be replaced with new computers and equipment thanks to the EducationAd funding.

At J. Churchill Owen Boys & Girls Club, one of the longest-established Club locations in Denver’s Westwood neighborhood, new computer equipment will replace antiquated equipment that has not been updated since 2007.  

The financial support from Brakes Plus, University of the Rockies and Colorado Land Rover Retailers will impact approximately 2,835 young Club members per year. 

The staff who run both technology labs are alumni of the Clubs themselves. Having grown up in environments similar to the young members, the staff is committed to mentoring and expanding opportunities through exposure and experience with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in college and the workforce.

The up-to-date equipment at both clubs will help the staff support STEM programs and classes, including basic elements and principles of technology, robotics, web design, movie-making and digital art.

“We are very grateful to CBS EcoMedia and its partners for the generous support of technology upgrades in two of our Clubs,” said John Barry, Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver President and CEO. “It is amazing to see what our Club members can do when given access to resources like technology and educational equipment. These tools will help them develop new skills and build great futures.”

A special event was held today at Boettcher Boys & Girls Club to celebrate the partnership and its impact on the youth in the community. Hosts included Roger Barbieri, Associate Director of Admissions, Denver Instructional Site, University of the Rockies and Anthony Brownlee, President/General Manager of Land Rover Denver, a member of Colorado Land Rover Dealers. Following remarks from representatives, guests took a tour of the newly updated technology lab.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver is one of the largest and most comprehensive youth development organizations in Metro Denver. It runs its “out-of-school-time” (OST) at seventeen different program locations, as well as its targeted behavioral intervention program that takes place during the school day. The overwhelming majority – 90 percent – of participants in all of its programs are low-income, minority youth between the ages of 6 and 18. Boys & Girls Clubs provide young people with opportunities to engage in programs that help them achieve academic success, take charge of their health by building healthy habits that will stick with them throughout their lives, and foster the skills they need to become leaders in their communities.

“We’re so thrilled to partner with Brakes Plus, University of the Rockies, Colorado Land Rover Retailers and Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver to put technology equipment into the hands of bright young minds,” said Paul Polizzotto, president and founder of CBS EcoMedia Inc. “The financial support through EcoMedia’s EducationAd program ensures that the young Club members will have the tools necessary to develop the skills needed in today’s world.”

About Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver
The mission of Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver is to empower every Club member, through safe and impactful experiences, to: graduate high school with a plan for college or career, contribute to their community and live a healthy life. Since 1961, BGCMD has been helping kids, ages 6 to 18, achieve academic success, live healthy lifestyles, and develop good character and citizenship. The organization operates 16 safe neighborhood sites throughout metro Denver, and a residential summer camp. Learn more at www.GreatFuturesDenver.org.  

About Colorado Land Rover Retailers
The Colorado Land Rover Retailers is comprised of four Land Rover Centres, including  Land Rover-Denver, 6160 S. Broadway, Littleton Colorado; Land Rover Flatirons, 1500 E. Coalton Road, Broomfield Colorado; Land Rover Roaring Fork, 52876 Two Rivers Plaza Road, Glenwood Springs Colorado and Land Rover Colorado Springs, 565 Automotive Drive, Colorado Springs, Colorado.  Each Land Rover Centre features both new and pre-owned Land Rovers for purchase, as well as a wide selection of various model pre-owned inventory.   All Colorado Land Rover Retailers pride themselves on making their customers and their communities – come first.  Land Rover Retailers ensure the best possible consumer experience with highly skilled and knowledgeable Sales Consultants and Certified Technicians, plus offer an array of benefits including complimentary Land Rover loaner cars from their fleets, exterior car washes with every service and complimentary fluid top-offs with every visit.  Each Land Rover Centre is independently owned and managed. The president of the Colorado Land Rover Retailers is Anthony Brownlee, Principle & General Manager of Land Rover Denver.

The words ‘Above and Beyond’ are often associated with the Land Rover brand.  As described by Land Rover:  “Land Rover believes that decades of innovation have taken us ‘Above and Beyond’ … We’ve navigated unchartered territory with a firm grasp on where we started – the unique marriage of capability and composure, which ‘distinguishes every vehicle bearing the Land Rover badge.”  - See more at www.coloradolandrover.com

About Brakes Plus
Brakes Plus® was founded in 1990 with the premise that customers wanted an honest and dependable place to take their vehicles. They wanted that secure feeling of the old neighborhood garage. 

Brakes Plus® is a family owned business, but each store has a manager/partner, which gives that store stability and permanence. Our managers and technicians continuously strive to maintain good customer relationships. 

Brakes Plus® is in the business of building relationships with our customers, vendors and employees. We are proud of the growth of Brakes Plus® and this growth was possible because of our philosophy of installing quality products with world-class service at a great price. 

The plus in Brakes Plus® was no accident; we specialize in brakes, plus services such as alignments, shocks and struts, scheduled mileage maintenance packages, cooling system and air conditioning and many other services. But the plus means much more to the customer. To insure our relationship with the customer we provide a free shuttle to work or home. Plus, free estimate before any work is performed. This allows the customer to compare prices. Time is a precious commodity.  As you work or wait you can enjoy our clean, modern facilities, wireless internet, certified technicians and a knowledgeable staff service your vehicle. Plus, you can always expect customer satisfaction.

Brakes Plus® has two important assets, our employees and our customers. Our mission is to supply the customer with quality parts and world class service at a great price. Our philosophy has always been for EVERY CUSTOMER to have a positive experience at Brakes Plus. See more at: http://www.brakesplus.com/about-us#sthash.nhO66KQG.dpuf

About CBS EcoMedia Inc.
At EcoMedia, we’re propelled by the desire to create positive social change; that’s been our mission since we founded the company in 2002.  In 2010, after successfully partnering with CBS on a wide range of environmental projects, EcoMedia became the newest addition to the CBS Corporation portfolio, exponentially scaling our reach across television, radio, interactive, publishing and outdoor media. 

Through our patent-pending EcoAd, WellnessAd and EducationAd programs, an innovative twist on traditional advertising, advertisers are able to support much-needed local projects which in turn creates jobs, saves taxpayer money and improves the quality of life in communities nationwide.  In the process, we’re fundamentally altering the advertising landscape, elevating the ordinary, traditional commercial – and media, in general – into a catalyst for tangible, quantifiable social change.  Please visit ecomediacbs.com, like us at facebook.com/EcoMediaCBS or follow us at Twitter.com/EcoMediaCBS.

By participating in EcoMedia’s EcoAd, WellnessAd and EducationAd advertising programs, EcoMedia’s advertisers agree to provide funding for projects we believe will have a beneficial effect upon the environment, health and/or education within local communities.  EcoMedia’s advertising programs are not certification programs nor are the EcoAd, WellnessAd or EducationAd logos seals of approval. EcoMedia does not in any way certify, endorse or make any representations about EcoMedia program advertisers, their products or services.