Jaene Miranda
Palm Beach County Youth Programs
Enabling all young people in Palm Beach County, particularly those in need, to reach their full potential is what Jaene Miranda, President & CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County, strives to do every day.
“For 50 years, the Clubs have provided our youth more than a safe, fun and constructive alternative to being home alone,” says Miranda. “We offer a variety of award-winning developmental programs to help youth build skills, self-esteem and values during critical periods of growth.”
Most important in achieving Miranda’s vision for the organization are investments in workforce readiness programs.
“Investing in a skilled and robust workforce is essential to the strength of our country and its economy,” Miranda explains. “We need to give our youth a strong foundation; if we invest in them now, we avoid expensive social problems later, such as early school dropout, poor labor market entry and crime and violence.”
Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County has invested considerable resources to keep members on track to graduate from high school with a plan for the future, offering academic support and a range of fun and pertinent program choices directly addressing teens’ most urgent concerns — employment and careers.
“Career Bound is a comprehensive college and career readiness program preparing teens for the 21st century workforce and boost their economic potential over a lifetime,” says Miranda. “The program expands workforce pathways for youth, including career exploration, job readiness and certification, soft skills development, summer jobs, year-round job opportunities and apprenticeships.”
Under Miranda’s leadership, the Clubs’ operating budget has doubled to nearly $20 million, fueled by the desire to positively impact teens.
“Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County expanded from one ‘Boys Club’ in 1971 to 13 Boys & Girls Clubs in 2013. Since then, we have opened four new Club sites, in four area high schools and built our first state-of-the-art Teen Career Readiness Center in Belle Glade,” Miranda adds. “With the support of the community, we plan to continue to invest in Career Bound and to expand our Career Readiness Centers over the next five years.”
Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County, 800 Northpoint Parkway, Ste. 204, West Palm Beach, 561-683-3287, bgcpbc.org
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