Our Mission
Club Programs & Services
Club professionals choose from a broad array of programs to help meet the interest and needs of Club members ages 6-18 and achieve positive outcomes for them, families and our community. Our well-rounded programming is developmentally appropriate in five core areas: character and leadership development, education and career development, health and life skills, the arts and sports, fitness and recreation.
Character & Leadership Development
Programs in this core area empower youth to support and influence their Club and community, sustain meaningful relationships with others, develop a positive self-image and good character, participate in the democratic process, and respect their own and others’ cultural identities.
Torch Club is a powerful vehicle through which Club staff can help meet the special character development needs of younger adolescents at a critical stage in their development. This small group leadership and service club for boys and girls ages 11-12 learn to elect officers and work together to implement activities in four areas: service to Club and community, education, health and fitness and social recreation.
Education & Career Development
Programs in this core area enable youth to become proficient in basic educational disciplines, set goals, explore careers, prepare for employment and embrace technology to achieve success in a career.
Power Hour: Making Minutes Count – creates an engaging homework help and tutoring program that encourages Club members ages 6 to 12 to become self-directed learners. Tuesday-Friday 4-6pm
Health & Life Skills
Programs in this core area develop young people’s capacity to engage in positive behaviors that nurture their own well-being, set personal goals and live successfully as self-sufficient adults.
Healthy Habits: In the Kitchen – encourage young people to eat smart through this program, which covers the power of choice, calories, vitamins, the food pyramid and appropriate portion size.
Just for Girls (Smart Girls) – a small-group health, fitness, prevention/education and self-esteem enhancement program. Through dynamic sessions, highly participatory activities, field trips and mentoring opportunities. Club girls will explore their own and societal attitudes and values as they build lifelong skills.
Classical Okinawan Karate - Training in blocking, punching, kicking, grappling, nerve and vital point striking and weapons make up the art of Ryu Te®, which stands for ancient Okinawan hand. Learn effective and practical defense techniques by studying katas and exercises designed to teach proper body movement for defense.
The Arts
Programs in this core area enable youth to develop their creativity and cultural awareness through knowledge and appreciation of the visual arts, crafts, performing arts and creative writing.
Guitar Not Guns – This 8-week program encourages Club members ages 11 and older to have fun exploring music making and learning to play the guitar. This program is offered at a beginners and advanced levels. Club members who successfully complete the beginners level earn a free guitar and advance levels.
Sports, Fitness and Recreation
Programs in this core area develop fitness, positive use of leisure time, skills for stress management, appreciation for the environment and social skills.
FitU - The FitU program; a health, wellness, and fitness initiative; is designed to incorporate proven strategies and methods for combating childhood obesity in the daily lives of youth between the ages of 8 and 14 years old. The program serves 1,100 boys and girls at 11 Boys & Girls Clubs throughout the metropolitan area. This program is funded by GlaxoSmithKline. FitU helps boys and girls establish healthy living patterns early in life, and thereby effectively manage and prevent weight issues. Each of the three program components (nutrition, fitness and wellness) offered as part of an overall curriculum embrace proven strategies and methods for combating childhood obesity.
