Bright News
friendship club girls in kitchen

Facts & Figures

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An estimated 172 high school students in Nevada County were homeless in 2018, a 36% increase compared to 2014, according to the Nevada County Superintendent of Schools.

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About 60% of children depend on the school lunch program for at least one of their meals every weekday in Nevada County, a dramatic increase from 5% in 1995.

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25% of families depend on MediCal for health coverage or have no insurance in Nevada County (U.S. Census Bureau).

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Nationally, 77% of parents report improved behavior in students who participated in after-school programs and 74% report improved student attendance, according to the Afterschool Alliance.

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Almost 7% of low-income families do not live close to a grocery store in Nevada County, more than double the rate in California, according to the most recent Community Health Needs Assessment report.

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About one of every eight households (12%) lives in poverty in Nevada County, including many children (U.S. Census Bureau).

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Four out of five parents in low-income communities across the country say after-school programs help working parents keep their jobs, according to the Afterschool Alliance.

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Seven in 10 U.S. teens said anxiety and depression was a major problem in their community during a survey in 2019, according to the Pew Research Center.

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Every $1 invested in after-school programs nationally saves at least $3 by increasing earning potential, improving academic achievement and reducing juvenile crime (Afterschool Alliance).

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The teen hospital admission rate for suicidal behavior has doubled during the past decade, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

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The Friendship Club

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Almost 1,000 girls and young women in 6th through 12th grade have participated in The Friendship Club’s long-term, comprehensive program since it started in 1995.

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92% of girls say The Friendship Club has helped them do better in school.

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94% of girls say The Friendship Club has helped them think positively about their future.

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96% of girls say The Friendship Club gives them a safe place to be, including a hot and healthy meal.

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95% of girls who participate in The Friendship Club program through 12th grade go to college and 100% graduate from high school.

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The Friendship Club provides more than 5,000 meals for the girls – and quite often their families – every year.

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NEO

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Several hundred teenagers and young adults participated in NEO events in 2019.

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Since opening a youth center in 2015, NEO has provided over 1,000 individual youth with a safe and fun place to spend their time after school.

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More than 60 youth participate in the annual Kenny Steel Student Showcase events. Kenny Steel is a longtime music instructor in Nevada County.

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Hosted nearly 200 activities and workshops in 2019.

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SAFE

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More than 400 families, including many children, were experiencing homelessness in December 2019, according to data from the Nevada County Superintendent of Schools.

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About one of every nine households in Nevada County lives in poverty, and 17% of children experience poverty and some form of insecurity, increasing their risk of experiencing homelessness, according to the Nevada County Health & Human Services Agency.

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Almost one of every four (23.4%) children faced food insecurity in Nevada County in 2016 (KidsData.org, 2018).

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Unhoused youth are highly vulnerable and are at increased risk of assault, sexual abuse, exploitation and substance use (California Coalition for Youth, California State Legislature, 2018).

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Youth experiencing homelessness are three times more likely than peers to be pregnant or parenting in California (Federal Regional Interagency Council on Homelessness, 2019).

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Half of chronically homeless adults first experienced homelessness as teens or young adults, according to the California Coalition for Youth.

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Volunteer

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5,000 hours donated by volunteers to Bright Futures for Youth annually.

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Volunteers help us prepare more than 6,000 meals per year.

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More than 250 serve as volunteers – from after-school drivers to mentors.

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Almost 1,300 hours volunteered by youth leaders at the Youth Center and other nonprofit organizations in the region in 2019.

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