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Boys & Girls Clubs of America

In every community, boys and girls are left to find their own recreation and companionship in the streets. An increasing number of children are at home with no adult care or supervision. Young people need to know that someone cares about them.

Boys & Girls Clubs offer that and more. Club programs and services promote and enhance the development of boys and girls by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging and influence.

Boys & Girls Clubs are a safe place to learn and grow – all while having fun. They are truly The Positive Place For Kids.

Our Mission is the Movement's Reason for Being
To enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.

A Boys & Girls Club Provides
A safe place to learn and grow...
Ongoing relationships with caring, adult professionals...
Life-enhancing programs and character development experiences...
Hope and opportunity.

Four key characteristics define the essence of a Boys & Girls Club. All are critical in exerting positive impact on the life of a child:
1. Dedicated Youth Facility
The Boys & Girls Club is a place – an actual neighborhood-based building – designed solely for youth programs and activities.
2. Open Daily
The Club is open every day, after school and on weekends, when kids have free time and need positive, productive outlets.
3. Professional Staff
Every Club has full-time, trained youth development professionals, providing positive role models and mentors. Volunteers provide key supplementary support.
4. Available/Affordable to All Youth
Clubs reach out to kids who cannot afford, or may lack access to, other community programs. Dues are low, averaging $5 to $10 per year.

The Scope of the Movement
• more than 4.6 million boys & girls served
• some 4,000 Club locations
• locations in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands plus domestic and international military bases
• some 47,000 trained professional staff

Boys & Girls Clubs in Indian Country
Native American tribes across the country are partnering with Boys & Girls Clubs of America to help some of our nation's most at-risk children grow, learn, develop and change their lives and surroundings.

2005 Year in Review
During 2005, the Boys & Girls Club Movement's youth development programs and services touched the lives of millions of children and teens through membership and community outreach. With thousands of facilities throughout the nation and on U.S. military bases overseas, Clubs span the globe.

About Our Membership
• 64% are from minority families
• 11% are less than 7 years old
• 26% are 7–9 years old
• 30% are 10–12 years old
• 21% are 13–15 years old
• 10% are 16–18 years old
• 2% are more than 18 years old
• 55% are male
• 45% are female

Boys & Girls Clubs of America had its beginnings in 1860 with several women in Hartford, Conn. Believing that boys who roamed the streets should have a positive alternative, they organized the first Club. A cause was born.

In 1906, several Boys Clubs decided to affiliate. The Federated Boys Clubs in Boston was formed with 53 member organizations – this marked the start of a nationwide Movement.

In 1931, the Boys Club Federation of America became Boys Clubs of America.

In 1956, Boys Clubs of America celebrated its 50th anniversary and received a U.S. Congressional Charter. To recognize the fact that girls are a part of our cause, the national organization's name was changed to Boys & Girls Clubs of America in 1990. Accordingly, Congress amended and renewed our charter.

2006 marked the Centennial year of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, as we celebrated 100 years of providing hope and opportunity to young people across the country.

About Our Programs
Boys & Girls Clubs of America's national programs have taken members from the Clubhouse to the White House; from the games room to the corporate boardroom; from the high school orchestra to Carnegie Hall. Boys & Girls Clubs of America has a lineup of tested and proven nationally recognized programs that address today's most pressing youth issues, teaching young people the skills they need to succeed in life. National programs are available in the areas of education, the environment, health, the arts, careers, alcohol/drug and pregnancy prevention, gang prevention, leadership development and athletics.

Boys & Girls Clubs of America
National Headquarters
1275 Peachtree Street NE
Atlanta, GA 30309-3506
Phone: (404)487-5700
www.bgca.org