Today, April 16, 2024, we are celebrating Purple Up Day from Italy as we travel in support of our Military Affiliated Youth Centers across this beautiful country!
Did you know that Boys & Girls Clubs of America has partnership with the Department of Defense (DOD), Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard to provide world-class youth development programs, training, and resources to military-affiliated Youth Centers and geographically dispersed military youth around the world?
I hope you will join me in wearing purple for Purple UP! Day! The goal of Purple UP! Day is to demonstrate our support for military youth and their families, regardless of service affiliation. You might ask, “Why purple?” Purple is the traditional color that signifies the blending of all military services into a common goal or outcome.
When a military member serves, the family also serves. Military youth frequently get reassigned every few years – meaning they could attend anywhere from four to nine new schools over the course of their youth – while continually acclimating to new friends and new surroundings.
Many times, military youth are uprooted during the school year or at critical times in their lives – such as the last year of high school – or to places where English might not be the primary language. While this might sound exciting to some, it can also add to the stress of deployment as their parents defend our freedom and way of life. The services BGCA provide to military youth both on-installation and off-installation through Mission: Youth Outreach contribute to the building of resiliency within our military kids and teens.
Salon Owner, Master Lash Stylist, Licensed Esthetician, Troop Leader
5moSo excited that our new troop just qualified for this 🥰