Last Friday, the Lealaifuaneva Peter E. Reid Charitable Foundation presented a donation of $16,000 to the Boys and Girls Club of American Samoa (BGCAS) in support and development of The Arts and Life & Workforce Readiness Programs for youth ages 6 to 18.
The initiative aims to increase access and engagement in the Arts as research shows that involvement in the Arts not only facilitate the development of cognitive, social and emotional skills, but also promotes positive outcomes such as increases in high school academic performance, college-going rates and grades, and employment retention.
Arts programming in Boys & Girls Clubs ranges from photography to music production to culinary creations and help to foster creativity in young people, giving them an outlet for self-expression.
On hand to present the donation on behalf of Ms. Olivia Reid, President of the Foundation was Mrs. Cecilia Reid-Wendt and Ms. Victoria Reid, the granddaughters of the late Senator Lealaifuaneva Peter E. Reid, along with great-granddaughters Pualena and Onolani.
Mrs. Mary A.T. Tulafono, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Volunteer Officer and Pacific Region Ambassador for Operation Impact accepted the donation along with BGCAS Executive Director, Mr. Sailipea Kennison D. Barber.
Ambassador Tulafono expressed her gratitude to the Foundation stating: “Our path towards building Great Futures means investing in the children and youth of today. Since 2017, the Lealaifuaneva Peter E. Reid Charitable Foundation has contributed over $75,000 to our Movement and has remained committed to our mission in ensuring that every child has mentors and champions in life. Their support has helped our future leaders make their dreams a reality. We extend our deepest Fa’afetai Tele Lava to Ms. Olivia Reid, Mr. Feagaimaali’i Peter E. Reid III, the Foundation’s Board and the Reid family for their incredible compassion and consistency they model for our youth and community.”
