Boys & Girls Clubs of America and CA Technologies Launch Tech Girls Rock

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Dec 06, 2011, 03:00 ET

Workshops Aim to Make Tech Appealing to Tween and Teen Girls

NEW YORK, Dec. 6, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Boys & Girls Clubs of America and CA Technologies (NASDAQ: CA) today announced a new partnership committed to empowering girls to explore a future in technology. The Tech Girls Rock initiative helps girls discover and cultivate an interest in information technology (IT), and ultimately tech-related educational opportunities and careers.

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As part of its commitment, CA Technologies will make a $1 million contribution to Boys & Girls Clubs of America over the next two years to deliver innovative and inspiring learning opportunities to tween and teen girls. In addition to the funding, CA Technologies employees will participate in workshop events, donating their time to provide expertise and real-world experience.

"By using the power of technology, Tech Girls Rock aims to engage and excite these girls about the many opportunities and benefits a career in the IT industry can provide," said George Fischer, executive vice president, worldwide sales and operations for CA Technologies. "Today's young women are part of a mobile generation that is fully acquainted with innovative technology; CA Technologies recognizes their potential for leadership in the IT industry and we're invested in it."

Tech Girls Rock will be hosted by Boys & Girls Clubs of America in Clubs across the country. These unique workshops will include career exploration panels with technology professionals who will share their own experiences. Participants also will engage in discussions on key IT trends and topics, and will participate in technology-focused challenges and projects, which will provide hands-on technology experience.

The first five Tech Girls Rock workshops will take place January-May 2012 in New York, NY; Boston, MA; Chicago, IL; San Francisco, CA; and Plano, TX, with a goal of reaching over 1,000 young women.

"Our strategy supporting education is focused on introducing Club members to new opportunities, like technology, through activities designed to provide fun experiences that are hands-on, interactive, and intentionally develop critical thinking skills," said Jim Clark, president and CEO-elect, Boys & Girls Clubs of America. "This new tech initiative made possible by CA Technologies, equips Boys & Girls Clubs across the country with the capacity to focus tech skills development specifically for young women, ensuring a future workforce that is job ready and destined for a great future in the technology field."

This program evolved from a long-standing partnership between CA Technologies and Boys & Girls Clubs of America and will incorporate two core CA Technologies focus areas: STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education and the Advancement of Women in IT.

Boys & Girls Clubs of America serves four million youth through Club membership and community outreach annually, of which 45 percent are female youth. Tech Girls Rock is part of Boys & Girls Clubs of America's strategy aimed at ensuring all members graduate from high school on time, are equipped for a post-secondary education and a 21st-century career.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America

For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (GreatFutures.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, nearly 4,000 Boys & Girls Clubs serve some 4 million children and teens through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native American lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. Clubs provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Priority programs emphasize academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 57 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more at bgca.org/facebook and bgca.org/twitter

About CA Technologies

CA Technologies (NASDAQ: CA) is an IT management software and solutions company with expertise across all IT environments – from mainframe and distributed, to virtual and cloud. CA Technologies manages and secures IT environments and enables customers to deliver more flexible IT services. CA Technologies innovative products and services provide the insight and control essential for IT organizations to power business agility. The majority of the Global Fortune 500 relies on CA Technologies to manage evolving IT ecosystems. For additional information, visit CA Technologies at www.ca.com.

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