18-Year-Old is 2nd Consecutive Youth of the Year Recipient from Boys & Girls Club of Bristol
BRISTOL, Conn., May 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Brianna P. was introduced to the Boys & Girls Club of Bristol at age 9, timid and unsure of what her future held. Having watched her family struggle with addiction and difficult life choices, Brianna grew up much faster than many of her peers.
Determined to take charge of her future, it was through the Club that she immediately found a safe environment with positive influences among Club staff to remind her of her full potential. Now, she's resolved to change the narrative for kids and teens who may be facing similar challenges.
"The most important thing to me is my mission to empower the youth of America to take advantage of the opportunities and resources that the Boys & Girls Club provides, and I hope my story will inspire others to do just that," she said.
Brianna's amazing story is the reason why she was selected as the 2021-22 Boys & Girls Clubs of America National Youth of the Year Winner, and why she was awarded a new Toyota Corolla during a special presentation at Stephen Toyota in Bristol, Connecticut, on April 1. Brianna was joined by the 2020-21 winner Josias R., who is also a member of Bristol Boys & Girls Club and was awarded a Corolla from Stephen Toyota last year. Representatives from Toyota, Bristol Boys & Girls Club and the Bristol community attended the celebration.
National Youth of the Year is Boys & Girls Clubs of America's premier recognition for teens who have made outstanding contributions to their family, school, community and local Club while overcoming personal obstacles. Nominations begin at the Club and continue through the state, regional and national levels. Participants are chosen on local and state levels, with five regional winners meeting each September in Washington D.C., to compete for the National Youth of the Year title. Five judges individually interview each candidate and select the national winner.
"Brianna represents everything the Youth of the Year program is about," said Steve Barberino, Jr., dealer principal and owner of Stephen Toyota. "She has worked hard to overcome many obstacles in her life and has become a compassionate, caring young woman who is a role model for others. We are proud to partner with such a great youth organization to celebrate and support such an extraordinary young woman."
This is the 11th Corolla that Toyota has awarded to a National Youth of the Year winner since 2011. And it's one component of Toyota's longstanding relationship with Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Toyota has remained committed to not only providing resources at the local and national levels, but also providing time and expertise with volunteerism and workforce readiness programs.
"I will forever be thankful to Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Toyota for all they have done to broaden my economic opportunity and mobility," Brianna said.
Brianna is a graduate of E.C. Goodwin Technical High School in New Britain, Connecticut, and attends Central Connecticut State University where she studies social work.
About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for more than 60 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our more than 1,800 dealerships.
Toyota directly employs more than 48,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 43 million cars and trucks at our 13 manufacturing plants. By 2025, Toyota's 14th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With the more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, more than a quarter of the company's 2021 North American sales were electrified.
Through the Start Your Impossible campaign, Toyota highlights the way it partners with community, civic, academic and governmental organizations to address our society's most pressing mobility challenges. We believe that when people are free to move, anything is possible. For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For 160 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA.org) has provided a safe place for kids and teens to learn and grow. Clubs offer caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Boys & Girls Clubs programming promotes academic success, good character and leadership, and healthy lifestyles. More than 4,700 Clubs serve over 4.3 million young people through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of America on Facebookand Twitter.
Media Contact:
Kimberly Agnello
kimberly.agnello@toyota.com
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SOURCE Toyota Motor North America
