Learn more about the 2017 charities that will benefit from all net proceeds from the Champions Ride for Charities. Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida, Seminole County Branches The Sharing Center Charities Supported by Seminole County and Lake Mary Florida Law Enforcement, and Fire and Rescue Personnel Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida, Seminole County Branches The mission of Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida, Seminole County Branches is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. The Five Core Program Areas Character & Leadership Development – Empower youth to become more global citizens who support and influence their Club and community, sustain meaningful relationships with others, develop a positive self-image and good character and respect their own and others’ cultural identities. Education & Career Development – Enable youth to become proficient in basic educational disciplines, set goals, explore careers, prepare for employment and embrace technology to achieve success in a career. Health & Life Skills – Develop young people’s capacity to engage in positive behaviors that nurture their own well-being, set personal goals and live successfully as self-sufficient adults. The Arts – Encourage youth to develop their creativity and culture awareness through knowledge and appreciation of the visual arts, crafts, performing arts and creative writing. Sports, Fitness & Recreation – Programs develop fitness, positive use of leisure time, skills for stress management, appreciation for the environment and social skills. Impact of Boys & Girls Clubs According to a Florida TaxWatch Study released in April 2008, Boys & Girls Clubs help young members succeed academically in many ways, including: Overall achievement levels in terms of learning gains in reading and mathematics for Club members was greater than that of their peer reference group or the state population; Club members had lower rates of absenteeism at all grades levels and significantly lower rates of serious criminal offenses; Club members had a dropout rate lower than both peer reference groups and state student population. Location: All Locations & Contact Information Website: http://www.bgccf.org/ Social: Facebook The Sharing Center The Christian Sharing Center assists with basic and essential needs during times of personal financial crises caused by job loss and medical issues. Clients may receive food and clothing, help with costs of rent/mortgage, transportation, bus tokens, costs of prescriptions and other medical issues, utilities, household goods. Children or adults in the family may be assisted in special ways specific to their individual or family needs. The Sharing Center is a 37,804 sq. ft. plaza in Longwood which functions as a one-stop hub for Seminole County’s working poor by offering help with a variety of needs in one location. Both a MedNet Navigator and a Health Navigator are on staff to assist children & adults in need of life-saving medications or a physician’s care. Disabled adults are helped to gain therapy and skills to be employed again or to find appropriate housing to accommodate their disabilities. The Sharing Center also provides an Oasis daytime service for the homeless. The Oasis provides a place to shower, wash clothes, work on job searches, and do homework. The only facility of its kind located in Seminole County, the Oasis gives homeless and precariously housed families an ability to retain their dignity in their struggle to get back to a more stable life. Location: 600 N. Hwy. 17-92, Ste. 158, Longwood, FL 32750-3638 Phone: 407.260.9155 Website: www.thesharingcenter.org Social: Facebook | Twitter Local Charities Supported Local Charities supported are the first responders of Seminole County and Lake Mary Law Enforcement Officers, and Fire and Rescue Personnel