Panda Express / Panda Cares Foundation Funds New Center of Hope at the Highland Park Clubhouse

Check Presentation, from left to right Jim Morgan, CEO, Jessica Long, Panda Express Restaurant Group, Camil Coleman, Highland Park Unit Manager, and Julius Salcedo, Area Coach of Operations, Panda Express Restaurant Group.

On December 3, 2024, The Boys & Girls Clubs of Chattanooga received a $45,000 grant from
Panda Express / Panda Cares Foundation to fund a new Center of Hope, consisting of a
remodeled library and a new computer lab at the Club’s Highland Park Clubhouse. “This grant
and resulting Center of Hope has transformed our Highland Park Clubhouse” states Jim Morgan,
CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chattanooga, ” Thanks to Panda Express, we now have a state
of the art library and computer lab that can accommodate 45-students all online at the same time
doing their homework or engaged with BGCA’s Project Learn programming”.

Panda Cares Centers of Hope (PCCOH) within Boys & Girls Clubs are spaces created to provide the resources and support students need to develop their academic and life skills to succeed for a brighter future.  Through BGCA’s Project Learn platform, youth are provided with different high-yield and enrichment programs that foster learning toward character building, academic success, and college access & success.  Panda will help establish 350 PCCOH with Boys & Girls Clubs across the US by 2032.

A community event inside a gymnasium with a speaker at a podium and a group of people in black and red uniforms standing and clapping.

Over 20 Panda Express Restaurant Group associates were on hand to participate in the check presentation and grand opening celebration.  Over 300 club members, board members, BGCC staff and volunteers participated in the event.  Event festivities included a Panda Express catered meal, Project Learn activities and tours of the new Center of Hope.

A brightly lit community learning center featuring a classroom setup with desks, chairs, panda plush toys, and a wall-mounted screen displaying a panda image and a thank-you message. Artwork is displayed on the walls.

Over 500 Chattanooga Youth attend the Highland Park location, and the new Center of Hope provides state of the art learning resources, 45-computer work stations and supports the delivery of BGCA’s Project Learn curriculum.

The Panda Express mascot, PeiPei hosted the ribbon cutting and grand opening activities, and he was very popular with the Club Members.