Who We Are - Boys and Girls Club of the Twin Cities

More and more children in the Twin Cities are left at home with no adult care or supervision. Thankfully, the Boys & Girls Clubs offer a safe place for them to learn, grow and have fun.

Who We Serve

The Clubs represent more than eighty years of service to youth.  Dedicated staff at eight metro-area locations and a rural camp provide activities and support to more than 12,000 young people from kindergarten through high school graduation.  Club sites are placed in targeted neighborhoods where the need is greatest.

Formula for Impact

Young people today count on us to provide them with a Club experience that provides life-changing programs, fun, enriching experiences and supportive relationships with peers and caring adults. These elements enable and empower Club youth to achieve positive outcomes and look forward to a great future.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities is dedicated to ensuring that every young person has a bright future.  We are committed to raising the awareness about the critical issues putting our kids and our nation’s future at risk. Consider the following statistics:

•          3 in 10 students will not graduate on time

•          3 in 10 kids are obese or overweight

•          Juvenile crime escalates during the hours of 3 – 7 pm

•          1 in 5 children live in poverty

The Club’s Formula for Impact defines specific strategies to increase quality programming for three priority outcomes: Academic Success, Character & Citizenship, and Healthy Lifestyles. In the Twin Cities, we are finding great success in strengthening the quality of our programs and increasing frequency of a Club member’s daily attendance.  We are implementing a Club Experience filled with life-changing programs, fun, enriching activities, and supportive relationships with peers and caring adults. The combination of these critical elements enables and empowers Club youth to achieve positive outcomes.

A vision for Academic Success To help every child that comes through our door graduate from high school, with a plan for the future.

A vision for Healthy Lifestyles To help kids learn about healthy eating habits, good nutrition, and the importance of exercise.

A vision for Good Character & Citizenship To teach young people the importance of service to others and giving back to their communities.

The Five Key Elements for Positive Youth Development

Each element is woven into each Club Experience, building a foundation for great futures.

1)  A safe, positive environment where kids feel they belong.

2)  Each Club is filled with fun and exciting age appropriate activities.

3)  Clubs are staffed by trained, professional, guidance-orientated youth development professionals.  Supportive relationships with staff and peers set up a firm foundation of trust, hope and mutual respect reinforcing the young person’s belief in future achievement.

4)  Staff members set high expectations and provide experiences that challenge young people to do learn new skills.  Unique opportunities strengthen the development of a positive self concept.

5)  The Club culture emphasizes positive reinforcement, praise, and recognition for youth achievement.

High Yield Learning Activities

When you walk in a Club, you enter a place where fun has a purpose.  Colorful walls, photos, and art create an atmosphere where skill development occurs as a part high yield activities.  The child and teen is viewed as a whole being and Club programs are created that engage from all developmental areas.  The implementation of activities that reflect cognitive, emotional, social, and physical development of youth at each stage of
skill-building are experienced by young people as they learn, practice, and attain new skills, all the while having fun.

Targeted Programs

Each Club carefully chooses programs and activities based on the ages, gender, and interest of participating youth.  Youth development professionals create a Club Experience that ensures that Club members can achieve one or more of the three priority outcomes:  Academic Success, Character & Citizenship, and Healthy Lifestyles.

Regular Attendance

Youth development research shows that a correlation exists between increased frequency of attendance at a Club and increased success and achievement in school.  The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities is committed to providing high quality programs and life-changing opportunities to improve average daily attendance.

What Kids Get at a Boys & Girls Club

A Safe, Encouraging Alternative

Children are accepted for who they are and encouraged to do their best. They’ll find a place where they feel valued and understood.

A Dedicated Neighborhood Facility

Each neighborhood-based location is designed solely for youth programs and activities.

Daily and Affordable Access

Clubs are open Monday through Friday. Program opportunities are available as soon as kids are dismissed from school

Club Hours

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities provide programs year round. The Clubs’ inner-city sites are open Monday-Friday, with special weekend programs occasionally offered. Programs are offered from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. when school is in session and from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. during the summer months and school release days. Throughout the year, additional environmental education and outdoor recreation opportunities are provided for members at the organization’s Voyageur Environmental Center in Mound.

Membership Cost

Membership fees for the Club are $5.00 per child. All activities are free and no child/teen that is unable to pay is turned away.

Membership Statistics Totals for the Twin Cities

Male Members……56%

Female Members…44%

Ethnicity

African American 49%

Asian American 10%

Caucasian 20%

Hispanic 10%

Multi-Racial 8%

Native American 3%