ArcelorMittal Helping Club Members Make Smart Decisions through SMART Moves

SMART-GirlsArcelorMittal is dedicated to corporate citizenship. Playing an active role in society and making vital contributions, ArcelorMittal and its Foundation strive to improve daily living and strengthen the local communities in which they do business. ArcelorMittal Foundation recently awarded a grant to Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County in the amount of $12,500 to support the SMART Moves program and Club holiday activities.

SMART Moves is a dynamic, nationally acclaimed, primary prevention program which assists young people in resisting alcohol and other gateway drugs, as well as premature sexual activity. SMART Moves features engaging, interactive, small-group activities that increase participants’ peer support, enhance their life skills, build resiliency and strengthen leadership skills. The grant is providing 120 Club members with various trainings and activities, helping them make healthy, life-altering decisions. Club members are attending an eight-week program session in Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County’s South Haven, Valparaiso, Portage, Duneland and Kidstop locations. Youth participants, upon the completion of this program, will demonstrate improvement in their decision-making abilities and skills in resisting peer pressure. ArcelorMittal not only provided funding for this program, but also for the celebrations provided by the Clubs during the holiday season.

This is not the first time ArcelorMittal has supported Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County! Their support began with the investment in the Clubs’ Link & Learn education program. The investment in Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County’s SMART Moves program demonstrates true commitment and investment in the youth of Porter County.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County
Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County was founded in 1971 in Valparaiso, IN. Currently Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County operates four Club units in Valparaiso, Portage, South Haven, and Chesterton and Kidstop sites nine school locations. Serving nearly 5,000 youth annually, aged kindergarten through high school, our organization provides Club programs and services that promote and enhance the positive development of boys and girls. For more information on membership, volunteer opportunities or to make a tax-deductible donation to Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County, please contact your local Club, call (219) 464-7282 or visit bgcpoco.org. Great Futures Start HERE.

Photo: Pictured from left to right: Club members Joclyn McMeans, Ashley Cytlak, Madison Healy, Staff Member Kristen Baker, Cassie Best, Keanna McGregor, Hailey Childers, Brianna Cox, Jazmyn Wheeler, Gia Tjortis take a break during a SMART Moves Session at Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County-South Haven Unit.