Causes: Boys & Girls Clubs, Children & Youth
Mission: To enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. For more information, visit www. boysandgirls. org.
Results: Our relationship with the communities we serve is enduring and impactful. It starts with the positive influence our program has on youth in the community who become members, expands as they participate in volunteer and service initiatives, and extends into the future as they become leaders in their own communities. Our K-12 programming is designed to give every child the opportunity to reach their full potential and have choice in their future. In Fiscal Year 2018, our dedicated team of 84 staff members and 1,200 volunteers delivered BGCTC programs and services to 8,398 unduplicated Twin Cities youth. This includes youth who participated in Club events, activities, or Voyageur programming during the fiscal year. In our Academic Success programs, 306 Club members were enrolled in the Literacy Program; 94% of students who received literacy instruction from November to May made positive gains in cumulative test scores. 733 youth participated in STEM enrichment activities (STEM stations, Chess Club, SciGirls, My. Future, Robotics Team, and STEM Mentoring); and 442 youth participated in performing or studio arts programming, including crafts, visual, literary and performing arts projects, art exhibits, talent shows, and performances at community events. In Teen Pathways, 241 teens completed the Goals for Graduation program (academic goal setting); 274 teens were trained in job skills through Career Launch; 237 youth completed the Money Matters curriculum for training in financial literacy; 25 Career Day events were hosted by local business professionals; 98% of teens reported they maintained an appropriate grade level for their age; 96% reported they expect to complete some post-secondary education or trade school; and 176 Club seniors graduated from high school, up 65% over the previous year. In Good Character & Leadership programming, 124 teens participated in Keystone Club; 58 teens participated in Torch Club; 53 teens were involved with community service projects; 62% of youth and teens surveyed volunteered in their local Club and/or in their community at least once a month; 80% of teen members reported they spent time working on projects with other people to help the community; and 84% believed they could make a difference in their communities. In Healthy Lifestyles programming, BGCTC provided 157,722 healthy meals and snacks to Club members; 803 youth were served nutritious meals and snacks each day; 944 youth participated in fitness and social recreation programs; 1,069 youth participated in sports leagues; 60% of Club members ages 9 and older reported getting at least one hour of physical activity five or more days per week; 167 male teens participated in Passport to Manhood; 473 female teens participated in Skills Mastery and Resistance Training (SMART) Girls; 861 youth attended programming at Voyageur Environmental Center; and 86 youth attended hands-on kitchen safety and cooking/nutrition classes.
Target demographics: at-risk youth and teens, ages 5-18, in the Twin Cities metro area.
Direct beneficiaries per year: 7,000 unduplicated Twin Cities youth.
Geographic areas served: targeted Saint Paul and Minneapolis communities that are racially and ethnically diverse, have high populations of intergenerational poverty, and are challenged both economically and socially, with concentrated pockets of intense need.
Programs: Academic Success, Good Character & Leadership, and Healthy Lifestyles programs. With service dating back to 1926, the Saint Paul and Minneapolis Clubs broadened their reach through the 1999 merger that formed the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities (BGCTC). Since then, we’ve worked to extend our reach, growing to ten metro area Clubs and one environmental learning center, Voyageur, located just west of the Twin Cities in Mound, Minnesota. BGCTC Clubs are located in communities that are racially and ethnically diverse and have high populations of intergenerational poverty. By locating Clubs within these communities, we provide vital access to meaningful programs and caring adult mentors within a safe, welcoming environment for some of the most at-risk youth in the metro area. Club membership is a reflection of the make-up of each neighborhood served. BGCTC programs are designed to intervene early and keep youth on track toward high school graduation with a plan for the future. Programs are offered for youth ages 5-18 after school and during extended daytime hours over the summer months, Monday through Friday. Staff members, many of whom have dedicated their careers to BGCTC’s youth, provide consistent guidance while delivering high-yield, outcome-driven programs in individual, small group, and large group settings. We offer tested, proven, and nationally recognized programs in three “pillars of success” outcome areas that closely align with the developmental needs of the youth we serve: Academic Success, Good Character & Leadership, and Healthy Lifestyles. Programs are driven by the research-based Clover Model of youth development that highlights four essential social and emotional learning elements needed for youth to thrive, learn, and develop: Active Engagement, Assertiveness, Belonging, and Reflection. Current programs are as follows: The Academic Success strategy assists young people TO SUCCEED in academics, providing youth opportunities for educational enhancement, career exploration, and augmented learning in literacy, finance, arts, and technology. Core programs include: Power Hour (homework help and tutoring for ages 5-18), Literacy Program (reading program and literacy enrichment for K-3), STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math enrichment for ages 5-18), The Arts (studio and performing arts for ages 5-18), Goals for Graduation (academic goal setting for ages 6-15), Numeracy for grades 4-6 beginning in fall 2018, and Teen Pathways field-based learning experiences for teens as they prepare to graduate high school, including Money Matters (financial literacy for ages 13-18) and Career Launch/Job Ready! (job skills/job search techniques and career exploration and mentoring for ages 13-18). The Good Character & Leadership strategy encourages youth TO BE ENGAGED by providing character, leadership, and service learning opportunities to Club members. Programs encourage youth to develop planning and decision-making skills by supporting and influencing their Club and community. Core programs include: Torch Club (small group leadership and service club for ages 11-13), Keystone Club (leadership development and community service club for ages 14-18), FOX Sports North (FSN) All-Stars (Club participation, positive behavior, and good sportsmanship incentives program for ages 8-13), Youth of the Year (BGCA’s premier recognition program, celebrating the extraordinary achievements of Club teens), and UPS Road Code, a partnership between The UPS Foundation and BGCA providing a free-to-attend driver’s education program teaching teenagers safe driving practices. The Healthy Lifestyles strategy develops young people’s capacity TO LIVE HEALTHFULLY by educating youth about fitness, nutrition and smart health decisions. Activities focus on instilling positive conflict resolution techniques, encouraging positive behaviors, setting personal goals, and building resistance skills that nurture and strengthen kids’ minds and bodies. Core programs include: Passport to Manhood (promotes and teaches responsibility to boys ages 8-17), Skills Mastery and Resilience Training (SMART) Girls (small-group health and fitness education and self-esteem enhancement program for girls ages 5-18, presented in three age groups), Kids Feeding Kids (nutrition program, cooking classes, and gardening activities for ages 5-18), Triple Play (health & wellness initiative for ages 6-18 focusing on physical activity, good nutrition, and healthy relationships), Voyageur (residential camp and environmental education program for ages 6-18), and Sports (recreation and sports leagues for ages 6-18).
Mission: To enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. For more information, visit www. boysandgirls. org.
Results: Our relationship with the communities we serve is enduring and impactful. It starts with the positive influence our program has on youth in the community who become members, expands as they participate in volunteer and service initiatives, and extends into the future as they become leaders in their own communities. Our K-12 programming is designed to give every child the opportunity to reach their full potential and have choice in their future. In Fiscal Year 2018, our dedicated team of 84 staff members and 1,200 volunteers delivered BGCTC programs and services to 8,398 unduplicated Twin Cities youth. This includes youth who participated in Club events, activities, or Voyageur programming during the fiscal year. In our Academic Success programs, 306 Club members were enrolled in the Literacy Program; 94% of students who received literacy instruction from November to May made positive gains in cumulative test scores. 733 youth participated in STEM enrichment activities (STEM stations, Chess Club, SciGirls, My. Future, Robotics Team, and STEM Mentoring); and 442 youth participated in performing or studio arts programming, including crafts, visual, literary and performing arts projects, art exhibits, talent shows, and performances at community events. In Teen Pathways, 241 teens completed the Goals for Graduation program (academic goal setting); 274 teens were trained in job skills through Career Launch; 237 youth completed the Money Matters curriculum for training in financial literacy; 25 Career Day events were hosted by local business professionals; 98% of teens reported they maintained an appropriate grade level for their age; 96% reported they expect to complete some post-secondary education or trade school; and 176 Club seniors graduated from high school, up 65% over the previous year. In Good Character & Leadership programming, 124 teens participated in Keystone Club; 58 teens participated in Torch Club; 53 teens were involved with community service projects; 62% of youth and teens surveyed volunteered in their local Club and/or in their community at least once a month; 80% of teen members reported they spent time working on projects with other people to help the community; and 84% believed they could make a difference in their communities. In Healthy Lifestyles programming, BGCTC provided 157,722 healthy meals and snacks to Club members; 803 youth were served nutritious meals and snacks each day; 944 youth participated in fitness and social recreation programs; 1,069 youth participated in sports leagues; 60% of Club members ages 9 and older reported getting at least one hour of physical activity five or more days per week; 167 male teens participated in Passport to Manhood; 473 female teens participated in Skills Mastery and Resistance Training (SMART) Girls; 861 youth attended programming at Voyageur Environmental Center; and 86 youth attended hands-on kitchen safety and cooking/nutrition classes.
Target demographics: at-risk youth and teens, ages 5-18, in the Twin Cities metro area.
Direct beneficiaries per year: 7,000 unduplicated Twin Cities youth.
Geographic areas served: targeted Saint Paul and Minneapolis communities that are racially and ethnically diverse, have high populations of intergenerational poverty, and are challenged both economically and socially, with concentrated pockets of intense need.
Programs: Academic Success, Good Character & Leadership, and Healthy Lifestyles programs. With service dating back to 1926, the Saint Paul and Minneapolis Clubs broadened their reach through the 1999 merger that formed the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities (BGCTC). Since then, we’ve worked to extend our reach, growing to ten metro area Clubs and one environmental learning center, Voyageur, located just west of the Twin Cities in Mound, Minnesota. BGCTC Clubs are located in communities that are racially and ethnically diverse and have high populations of intergenerational poverty. By locating Clubs within these communities, we provide vital access to meaningful programs and caring adult mentors within a safe, welcoming environment for some of the most at-risk youth in the metro area. Club membership is a reflection of the make-up of each neighborhood served. BGCTC programs are designed to intervene early and keep youth on track toward high school graduation with a plan for the future. Programs are offered for youth ages 5-18 after school and during extended daytime hours over the summer months, Monday through Friday. Staff members, many of whom have dedicated their careers to BGCTC’s youth, provide consistent guidance while delivering high-yield, outcome-driven programs in individual, small group, and large group settings. We offer tested, proven, and nationally recognized programs in three “pillars of success” outcome areas that closely align with the developmental needs of the youth we serve: Academic Success, Good Character & Leadership, and Healthy Lifestyles. Programs are driven by the research-based Clover Model of youth development that highlights four essential social and emotional learning elements needed for youth to thrive, learn, and develop: Active Engagement, Assertiveness, Belonging, and Reflection. Current programs are as follows: The Academic Success strategy assists young people TO SUCCEED in academics, providing youth opportunities for educational enhancement, career exploration, and augmented learning in literacy, finance, arts, and technology. Core programs include: Power Hour (homework help and tutoring for ages 5-18), Literacy Program (reading program and literacy enrichment for K-3), STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math enrichment for ages 5-18), The Arts (studio and performing arts for ages 5-18), Goals for Graduation (academic goal setting for ages 6-15), Numeracy for grades 4-6 beginning in fall 2018, and Teen Pathways field-based learning experiences for teens as they prepare to graduate high school, including Money Matters (financial literacy for ages 13-18) and Career Launch/Job Ready! (job skills/job search techniques and career exploration and mentoring for ages 13-18). The Good Character & Leadership strategy encourages youth TO BE ENGAGED by providing character, leadership, and service learning opportunities to Club members. Programs encourage youth to develop planning and decision-making skills by supporting and influencing their Club and community. Core programs include: Torch Club (small group leadership and service club for ages 11-13), Keystone Club (leadership development and community service club for ages 14-18), FOX Sports North (FSN) All-Stars (Club participation, positive behavior, and good sportsmanship incentives program for ages 8-13), Youth of the Year (BGCA’s premier recognition program, celebrating the extraordinary achievements of Club teens), and UPS Road Code, a partnership between The UPS Foundation and BGCA providing a free-to-attend driver’s education program teaching teenagers safe driving practices. The Healthy Lifestyles strategy develops young people’s capacity TO LIVE HEALTHFULLY by educating youth about fitness, nutrition and smart health decisions. Activities focus on instilling positive conflict resolution techniques, encouraging positive behaviors, setting personal goals, and building resistance skills that nurture and strengthen kids’ minds and bodies. Core programs include: Passport to Manhood (promotes and teaches responsibility to boys ages 8-17), Skills Mastery and Resilience Training (SMART) Girls (small-group health and fitness education and self-esteem enhancement program for girls ages 5-18, presented in three age groups), Kids Feeding Kids (nutrition program, cooking classes, and gardening activities for ages 5-18), Triple Play (health & wellness initiative for ages 6-18 focusing on physical activity, good nutrition, and healthy relationships), Voyageur (residential camp and environmental education program for ages 6-18), and Sports (recreation and sports leagues for ages 6-18).
Children & Youth
Saint Paul
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