Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Arizona Recognize and Promote Greatness in Community Youth
By Clarissa Robertson
Our local Boys & Girls Clubs are steadfast in promoting greatness in our Club youth and their families through inspirational leadership and transformational programs. The Club mission along with the vision “Recognizing Greatness in Every Club Member” is the foundation of the organization’s Strategic Plan for 2021-2026, which includes programming excellence, enhancing community partnerships, building exceptional infrastructure, and growth and sustainability.
The Clubs offer after-school and summer programs that focus on outcomes around academic success, healthy choices, and good character and citizenship. Serving youth ages six to 18 with tools and opportunities to help them develop and thrive, the Clubs also serve the whole family by empowering parents to work outside the home and provide for their household. During the pandemic, our Clubs served our community by increasing hours to offer a full-time program and dedicated schedule to support distance learning. In 2020 alone the Clubs accomplished 16,590 Clubhouse visits and provided 3,480 hours of programming.
During the school year, the Clubs serve our community with the After-School Program, which focuses on educational and recreational activities. The program offers activities such as “Power Hour: Making Minutes Count,” which offers to tutor and provides assistance, motivation, and direction with homework, helping members achieve academic success. The After-School Program also includes “Healthy Habits,” which offers myriad activities that emphasize good nutrition, endorse physical activity, and improve overall well-being. Clubs also offer arts and crafts, educational games, multimedia and STEM activities, and more.
The full-time Summer Program includes much-needed recreational activities, active games, sports, arts and crafts, field trips, and our new and exciting Mountain Biking Program. This program offers fun rides, skill clinics, and bike repair workshops, all organized around age and ability, taught and led by trained and experienced instructors. The program aids in keeping our kids healthy and connected with nature.
The Clubs are a valuable community asset that welcomes youth each day who are anxious to connect with friends, unwind from the stresses of daily life, and explore new possibilities. With less than 15% of operating income derived from member fees, the Clubs are reliant on the investment of dedicated neighbors to make these programs a reality.
Nicole Kennedy, Clubs’ CEO, said, “We simply cannot do what we do without the generosity and commitment of our community. No matter the amount of your gift, it makes a priceless positive difference in the lives of young people around you.”
Give the gift of stability and hope to local families this season by supporting our local programs. All funds donated through bgccaz.org stay local and directly benefit our community.
To learn more about our local Clubs’ impact and programs, visit bgccaz.org, and follow facebook.com/BGCCAZ and instagram.com/BGCCAZ.