The Boys & Girls Club of Bellevue has received a $10,000 grant to launch a new reading initiative that promotes both educational and leisure reading for adolescents.

The Walmart Foundation’s Bright Spot for Reading initiative for adolescent readers will help create a reading center, provide training for staff and encourage relationships to ensure the success of young members.

Nationally, the Walmart Foundation awarded Boys & Girls Clubs of America with $1.5 million to help establish reading Bright Spots at 100 Clubs across the U.S.

The Bright Spot Reading Center will feature books geared at over 50 youth ages 11 to 15 and will include programming to encourage adolescents to read more and develop a more positive attitude toward reading. Programming will include activities in drama, art and technology; field trips within Bellevue and Seattle and service learning projects in order to create reading opportunities in every area of the club.

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Bellevue’s Bright Spot Reading Room is run in conjunction with the Club’s Be Great! Graduate! Program that focuses on high school drop-out prevention in Bellevue and the Eastside.

“The Walmart Foundation’s Bright Spot for Reading Initiative is essential in preparing youth for academic and life success,” continued Kathy Haggart, President/CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of Bellevue, “We are grateful to The Walmart Foundation for the opportunity to create an environment that will encourage and allow our youth to enjoy and develop an affinity for reading.”

Located at 209 100th Ave NE, Boys and Girls Clubs of Bellevue provides program opportunities for over 10,000 boys and girls each year. The Club is open 7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday this summer. Youngsters interested in joining the Club, learning more about The Walmart Foundation Bright Spot for Reading Initiative or other youth programs can contact Boys and Girls Clubs of Bellevue at 425-454-6162 or visit www.bgcbellevue.org.