FAQsBoys and Girls of America
Project Background
The Boys & Girls Club Movement began in 1860 when a group of concerned women in Connecticut formed the first Boys’ Club as a safe place for local boys to spend their free time. By 1906, 53 Clubs had been established and a national organization, the Federated Boys’ Clubs, was formed in Boston. The organization was chartered by the U.S. Congress as Boys’ Clubs of America in 1956, and became Boys & Girls Clubs of America in 1990.
Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) is the premier youth-serving organization in the country, providing youth development services to more than 4.8 million young people each year at some 4,000 Boys & Girls Club facilities through membership and community outreach. Our mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.
Project Brief
Known as “The Positive Place For Kids,” Boys & Girls Clubs are uniquely positioned to make a difference in the lives of America’s underserved youth because of four intrinsic characteristics:
1. Clubs are designed and operated exclusively for youth, with the needs and interests of
young people in mind.
2. Clubs are available daily to provide a positive place for kids to go—when they need it most.
3. Clubs have a core staff of trained professionals who provide guidance and supervision, and
serve as role models.
4. Clubs are accessible and affordable to all.
Through five core program areas—Character and Leadership Development; Education and Career Development; Health and Life Skills; The Arts; and Sports, Fitness and Recreation—Boys & Girls Clubs assist young people in establishing a strong, positive sense of identity by nurturing their talents, self-esteem and drive.
BGCA provides leadership and guidance to local Boys & Girls Clubs in the form of: program research and development; personnel recruitment and training; facility design, construction and safety; fundraising, marketing and communications; evaluation of organizational effectiveness and development; consultation regarding the establishment of new Clubs; and, support of legislative and public policy issues affecting youth.
"Project Learn" is a comprehensive strategy based on research showing that students do much better academically when they spend their non-school hours engaged in fun, educational activities. Formally evaluated by Columbia University, Project Learn has been proven to boost the academic performance of Club members. The strategy consists of five components:
• Homework help and tutoring
• High-yield learning activities: integrating fun, educational activities throughout club programs
• Parental involvement
• School collaboration
• Incentives
Volunteering: CRY America’s Action Centers will also be volunteering with the BGCA Clubs locally. The details of this interface will be worked out locally.
Impact of Boys & Girls Clubs of America
An independent survey of Club alumni, conducted by Harris Interactive, revealed that BGC alumni firmly believe that Club membership had both an immediate and long-lasting impact on their lives.
• 62 percent of alumni said they became more committed to their education.
• 90 percent agreed that the Club was one of the best things available in their communities.
• 84 percent said that participating in the Club had a favorable impact on their families.
• An amazing 57 percent of alumni said the Club saved their lives.
Scope of the Movement
4.8 million—Girls and boys served annually
1,174—Local Boys & Girls Club organizations
Some 4,000—Club facilities in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, and overseas, including:
• 479 Clubs located on U.S. military bases in the U.S., Europe and Asia
• 426 Clubs located in public housing
• 1,199 Clubs operating in school facilities
• 208 Clubs located on Native American lands
49,200—Trained professional youth workers full and part-time
182,000—Board and program volunteers
For more information about BGCA, please visit www.bgca.org
To know more about Project Learn- An Update on BGCA’s Education Strategy, click here.
Grant Amount: $ 60,000
