Foley & Lardner LLP is proud to honor the one-year anniversary of its national partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Foley was the first law firm to partner with the youth development organization on a national scale when the partnership was announced in July 2021.
Since then, Foley attorneys and business professionals have donated more than 2,500 hours to support Boys & Girls Clubs of America by engaging with the local Clubs in all 22 of Foley's U.S. offices, and then working with the Clubs to implement mentoring programs, education efforts, book and backpack drives, and multiple other events to promote safe, positive, and inclusive environments for youth all over the country.
Over the past year, Foley has partnered with the clubs and together have hosted more than 120 activities and initiatives, including:
• More than 16 scholarships for Club kids
• More than 800 backpacks with school supplies
• Six offices helped with beautification projects at local Clubs
• 18 local Clubs received sports equipment
• More than 13 offices held holiday gift and clothing drives, and more than 5,000 Club kids benefitted from holiday giving, including 200 holiday food baskets
• Mentored young professionals on resume writing and job interviewing
Foley also held its annual semester-long Street Law program pairing volunteer attorneys with students from local clubs in classroom discussions and interactive workshops discussing a wide range of legal topics. In addition, the firm presented informative events for youth in honor of Black History and Women's History Months, including the annual MLK Jr. Oratory Competition, which featured local Boys & Girls Club student speakers.
"This first year of our partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America has exceeded our expectations," said Foley Chairman and CEO Daljit Doogal. "One of our core values is citizenship, which to us means embracing our responsibilities to our communities and leading by example through service. Over the last 12 months, we've created a solid foundation with clubs across the country for what our partnership can achieve when we work together. We look forward to many more opportunities to work with the clubs and the kids they serve."
Through this partnership, Foley has strategically helped bolster Boys & Girls Clubs of America's DEI initiative, with a particular focus on addressing racial equity. Foley's contributions have helped BGCA grow its DEI team, select a new DEI council, and cultivate DEI assessment and trainings that have been piloted and developed within 26 clubs. The firm has also implemented unconscious bias training for participating club staff and has integrated trauma-informed practices into club programs and strategies.
"We are delighted with all that has been accomplished during the first year of our national partnership with Foley," said Boys & Girls Clubs of America's Diversity Equity, and Inclusion Officer H Walker. "Across their many offices, Foley has made an exceptionally large impact on our local clubs by donating their time, resources, and knowledge to benefit our kids. We are excited to continue our work together and drive our mission forward to help our youth reach their full potential."
In addition to the direct work with the kids, Foley also performs pro bono legal services for the local clubs.
Foley's Mexico City office also began a partnership last year with Pro Niños de la Calle, a local charitable foundation working with children living on the streets or in otherwise challenging conditions, and has similarly collaborated with Pro Niños throughout the year on several activities with the children.
