AKWESASNE -- The Akwesasne Boys and Girls Club has received a $39,000 Alcoa Foundation grant for the Be Great Graduate Program.

After success with an Alcoa Action Grant, in which Alcoa employees volunteered to clean up the exterior of ABGC’s building, Alcoa’s Massena Operations recommended that the club submit a proposal for a larger foundation grant for education.

The foundation grant provides funds to hire two tutors for the club’s afterschool program, to assist club members with homework and help them meet educational goals.

Plans are being developed to also host a tutoring session after club hours for additional educational help to community youth in need.

The grant also supplies the club with additional computers in the tech center and tablets in classrooms for daily homework and reading assignments.

“ABGC welcomes the Alcoa Foundation and thanks board member Kerry Jacobs, Alcoa employees Sharon Cree, Nancy Ransom, and Laurie Marr for their guidance through the proposal process,” said ABGC Executive Director Jessica Cree Jock. “This grant provides much needed equipment and tutors for the youth we serve.”

For over ten years, the ABGC has been active in youth development in the Akwesasne community. The club has actively sought to enrich the lives of 250 currently enrolled club members.

The club provides an after-school program and two summer programs plus a GED program. The “Be Great Graduate Program” is a Boys and Girls Clubs of America program that monitors grade progression and school performance.

For more information about the Akwesasne Boys and Girls Club visit www.myabgc.com.