PLEASANTON, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ross Stores, Inc., the nation’s second largest off-price retailer, today announced its national sponsorship of Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s (BGCA) Power Hour, an interactive after-school homework assistance program for members, ages six to 18.

As a part of this partnership, Ross Stores will underwrite the implementation of Power Hour at certain Boys & Girls Clubs across the country. Additionally, Ross Stores will support local Clubs at select Ross Dress for Less and dd’s DISCOUNTS grand opening events, and encourage associate volunteerism at Clubs.

“Ross is committed to supporting the families in the neighborhoods we serve,” said Jane Marvin, senior vice president, Human Resources of Ross Stores. “Through the Power Hour program, youth can develop the study skills and homework habits they need to excel academically and graduate from high school.”

According to a recent study by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, nearly one third of all public high school students fail to graduate with their class, resulting in more than one million high school dropouts every year. Today, youth are confronted with tremendous challenges, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances. A key to breaking this cycle and bridging the “achievement gap” is early intervention through educational programs like Power Hour.

Through programs like Power Hour, Club staff encourage a positive attitude about learning, offer academic enrichment and opportunities to build skills needed to be successful in school and set high expectations for young people to achieve. The program also provides recognition, while emphasizing the importance of high school graduation.

“A program like Power Hour lays the foundation for closing the academic achievement gap,” said BGCA President Roxanne Spillett. “Without the necessary study skills and discipline provided by Power Hour, it’s very difficult for a young person to achieve academic success and more importantly, ensure future workforce preparedness. We would like to thank Ross Stores for sponsoring this essential program and for their dedication to youth in communities nationwide.”

About Ross Stores

Ross Stores, Inc., a Fortune 500 and Nasdaq 100 (ROST) company headquartered in Pleasanton, California, is the nation’s second largest off-price retailer with fiscal 2008 revenues of $6.5 billion. As of May 30, 2009, the Company operated 922 Ross Dress for Less® (“Ross”) stores and 52 dd’s DISCOUNTS® locations. Ross offers first-quality, in-season, name brand and designer apparel, accessories, footwear and home fashions for the entire family at everyday savings of 20 to 60 percent off department and specialty store regular prices. dd’s DISCOUNTS features a more moderately-priced assortment of first-quality, in-season, name brand apparel, accessories, footwear and home fashions for the entire family at everyday savings of 20 to 70 percent off moderate department and discount store regular prices. Additional information is available at www.rossstores.com.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America

For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (www.bgca.org) has helped kids “BE GREAT,” providing hope and opportunity for those who need it most. Today, more than 4,300 Clubs serve some 4.5 million young people through Club membership and community outreach. Known as The Positive Place for Kids, Boys & Girls Clubs can be found throughout the country and on U.S. military bases worldwide, providing young people 6-18 years old with guidance-oriented character development programs conducted by trained, professional staff. Clubs positively impact lives and help young people reach their full potential as productive, caring citizens. Key programs emphasize leadership development; education and career exploration; community service; technology training; financial literacy; health and life skills; the arts; sports, fitness and recreation; and family outreach. In a recent Harris Survey of Club alumni, 57 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta.

Contacts
Ross Stores, Inc.
Bobbi Chaville, 925-965-4289
bobbi.chaville@ros.com
or
BGCA
Jan Still-Lindeman, 404-487-5739
jslindeman@bgca.org