As we prepare to celebrate Veterans Day, the Boys & Girls Clubs in New Jersey salutes the brave men and women who have served our nation in uniform. We thank you for your service to our country.
Since 1991, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) has partnered with the Department of Defense to serve the military families who live on the 387 military bases throughout the United States. In New Jersey, five military bases provide Boys & Girls Club youth development programs and activities to the children of military personnel, giving families the vital support they need. These include Earle Naval Base, Fort Dix Army Base, Lakehurst Naval Base, McGuire Air Force Base, and Picatinny Army Arsenal.
As a component of the national Youth of the Year program, which recognizes the outstanding contributions of club members between the ages of 14-18 to their family, school, community, Boys & Girls Club, and for overcoming personal challenges, this year New Jersey named a NJ military Youth of the Year. Becoming a Youth of the Year is the highest honor a club member can receive. Jasmine Carter from Fort Dix Youth Center was named the 2014 NJ Military Youth of the Year. Jasmine was presented with a $20,000 scholarship. The additional military candidates were each awarded a $1,500 scholarship.