The Boys & Girls Club Story

Boys & Girls Clubs and Comcast: Bridging the Opportunity Divide

One of the best parts of my job is getting to connect resources with young people who need us most. But even better is getting to see those kids experience the joy and exhilaration those new possibilities and opportunities bring.

Digital inclusion is a powerful force for good, one we’re humbled to partner on with Comcast. Today and every day, we’re proud to stand should to shoulder with Comcast as we bridge the opportunity divide for youth across America. Comcast is opening doors of opportunity for the over 25 percent of youth who lack home access to broadband internet. Without the internet, many things are harder than they need to be.

Digital literacy can bridge many divides in our nation. The opportunity divide, the innovation divide and even the homework divide (a whopping 79 percent of teachers have students access or download assignments online) can all benefit from more equitable technology access. From answering a burning question to trying a new recipe, technology powers possibility and independence.

Research tells us there’s an important difference between whether young people are set up to utilize or create digital media. A recent Pew Research Center study found lower-income Americans are more than twice as likely as those in other income groups to be digitally unprepared. This stat hits especially close to home for me, as our experience tells us every great future starts with opportunity.

One of Comcast’s top priorities is to help more people participate in the innovation economy, regardless of where they’re from or circumstances they were born to. Together, we’re using technology as a catalyst for equity. Because we know that when everyone has a seat at the table, the increased diversity allows us to craft solutions that work even better for more children and families. Innovation shouldn’t be limited by income, skin color or ZIP code. And I’m proud that Clubs are working every day to make sure that’s the case.

Boys & Girls Clubs and Comcast are celebrating the power of digital inclusion to drive positive change. With the help of Comcast, we launched the interactive digital platform My.Future, which enables kids to interact with programs ranging from digital literacy essentials to visual arts and game design. More than 4 million young people have access to the platform.

As we set our sights on 2025 - when we’ll serve twice as many kids by moving outside Club walls - we know technology will continue to be a game changer for the way that we do business.

Posted by Julie Teer, Chief Development and Public Affairs Officer for BGCA.

South Texas Clubs Pave the Way for Great Futures

I recently completed a visit to the Boys & Girls Clubs in Edinburg Rio Grande Valley and Pharr, Texas, in the southernmost part of the country and near our nation’s border with Mexico. I found it rewarding and gratifying to see and hear about the tremendous progress each Club is making to deepen its impact on youth, even while seeking to extend its reach.

At a breakfast reception with the Edinburg community, we talked about the challenges faced by local youth and how the Club is expanding its services to meet those needs. This includes the building of a new teen center that will provide additional facility space for youth of all ages. Special thanks to CEO Sabrina Walker-Hernandez and COO Adriana Rendon for the great job they are doing in creating great experiences for kids and teens. It’s easy to see why the surrounding community takes such pride in its Clubs and in supporting the organization.

At the Pharr Club, Board Chair Eddie Cantu and CEO Freddy Mata are also focused on adding a new site in the near future. This will expand their Club’s capacity to serve youth, which is greatly needed.

I enjoyed a visit with the staff of both Clubs, as well as the opportunity to attenda special teen focus group about the challenges teenagers are facing and the solutions they’re finding at Boys & Girls Clubs. These energetic, well-grounded groups provide tremendous hope and inspiration for the future, with their own great ideas for improving programs and experiences for their age group. I even found time for a quick ping-pong game with the Pharr Club champion!

In all, it was a wonderful time in Texas and extremely special to see the level of care, compassion and mentoring taking place at these two Clubs.

 

How Boys & Girls Clubs “STEM” the Tide of Summer Learning Loss

As a kid, there’s no sweeter sound than the last bell on the last day of school before summer break. But for a lot of low-income parents, that’s the sound of uncertainty as the essential resources provided by schools — supervision, safety, nutrition and learning opportunities — are suddenly lost for months.

For students of low socio-economic status, the loss of learning over summer break can be staggering.  As Review of Educational Research notes, most youth lose about two months of grade-level equivalency in mathematical computation skills over the summer months. Low-income youth also lose more than two months in reading achievement, while their middle class peers make slight gains. 

This learning loss can stack up from year to year, creating a chasm many low-income students struggle to cross. For kids already at a disadvantage due to lack of resources or opportunities, summer learning loss can prevent them from graduating from high school on time or at all.

That’s when Boys & Girls Clubs open their doors — because if time outside of school is the problem, out-of-school time programming is the solution. In fact, a 2015 study conducted by Metis Associates found that Boys & Girls Club programs like Summer Brain Gain not only halt summer learning loss but also lead to gains in math and reading for many young people! And on top of the academic boost, Clubs ignite new passions for youth.

Take STEM for example. Summer is the perfect time for the “STEM smoothie” that is computer science — an enticing blend of science, technology, engineering and math. Why hit the computer lab instead of the beach (besides the dramatically reduced risk of sunburn)? For one, learning computer science at a Boys & Girls Club is a blast, and it has only gotten more popular with kids. According to our 2017 Annual Report, a total of 915 Clubs (22 percent) reported they are implementing computer science programming with a total of 79,110 youth — a 225 percent increase in youth over since 2015.

Whether your student is building their own app or coding a game in JavaScript, they’re putting their imagination and problem-solving to the test, creating projects they can use and share. Plus, at Boys & Girls Clubs, kids of all different backgrounds get the opportunity to build their STEM skills — this critical exposure can reshape the future of STEM, especially since girls and people of color are historically underrepresented in STEM fields.

We already know that when you give kids a chance to experience STEM, they start to see a future in the field! In fact, our 2017 National Youth Outcomes Initiative reports:

• More than twice as many 12th-grade Club members express interest in a STEM career as 12th graders nationally.
• Moreover, the percentage of Club girls who express interest in a STEM career (51 percent) is more than three times greater than that of their same-aged female peers nationally (14 percent).

Besides all the fun to be had, another reason to hit up the computer lab this summer is that learning STEM not only gets students ahead of the next school year — it prepares them for college and career. And careers in STEM are as hot as ever; between 2017 and 2027, Change the Equation projects that the number of STEM jobs will grow 13 percent while non-STEM jobs will only grow 9 percent. 

Plus, technology skills are essential for today’s workforce, whether you’re coding in an office or taking inventory on the factory floor. Studying computer science provides young people a better understanding of computational thinking and equips them with critical thinking and problem-solving skills that are useful across all careers.

Who would’ve thought computer science could do all that? For one, Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Microsoft. As part of a multi-year partnership funded by a $4.5 million grant, we have teamed up to develop a Computer Science Pathway that sparks the imaginations of kids and teens, builds their programming skills and instills a spirit of leadership and innovation. Because the skills build on each other, members at all levels of proficiency can learn, and with the digital platform MyFuture, any young person can practice on any computer they can find.

For Club members beating the heat this summer in their computer lab, we know they’re not only building academic skills to ace the school year, but they’re also forming interests that could shape their futures, as well as the future of the STEM industry. Summer learning loss, you don’t stand a chance.

A July Fourth Salute to Military-Connected Youth

With the Fourth of July a day away, I’d like to pay tribute to the men and women of the U.S. Armed Services who serve and defend our nation, and the families who support them.

Each year, I visit BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on domestic and overseas U.S. military installations. Recently, I spent time at Naval Station Rota in Spain and Naval Air Station Sigonella in Italy. My discussions with Youth Center staff and military personnel offered valuable knowledge to sustain, and even improve, how we support them.

Since 1991, Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the Department of Defense have worked in union to serve military youth and their families. These kids deal with multiple ongoing challenges, like family separations due to the deployment of a parent. Frequent moves are also common, with military-connected youth moving an average of nine times between kindergarten and twelfth grade.

Youth Centers help members build resilience and character to surmount such challenges, and provide them with access to Boys & Girls Club programming and activities. With extracurricular pursuits usually limited to on-installation offerings, kids often rely on Youth Centers for after-school activities.

This trip left me feeling inspired. There’s such positive energy at the command level for our partnership, with senior military staff expressing gratitude for the support we offer children and teens. As a Movement, we can be proud of the small yet critical contributions we are making to support our military families. Happy Independence Day, everyone.

Game on at Naval Station Rota!

Honored to recognize Amelia, on the right, as 2018 National Winner of BGCA's ImageMakers
photography program during my visit to NAS Sigonella.

My new friend Alwen filled me in about stick bugs at the NS Rota School Age Care facility.

Our Health & Wellness Game Plan for Whole Child Health

Thanks to our partners at The Coca-Cola Company and Anthem Foundation, we’re focusing on social and emotional skill development to empower youth with skills they need to live healthy and balanced lives. Last week, we hosted Triple Play Day at the Alfred E. Smith Recreation Center in New York City and did just that!

Research shows that where you live, work, learn and play have a significant impact on health and wellness, especially for young people. At Boys & Girls Clubs, we’re leveling the playing field by providing youth with access to critical opportunities that foster essential social and emotional skills that enable them to build relationships, identify and express themselves, make responsible decisions and be positive agents of change in their own lives.

Clubs employ formal and informal methods to power skill development through "caught" and "taught" experiences. Social and emotional development is incorporated throughout the Club environment, targeted in intentional programming and integrated with other programs to support skills practice and reinforcement.

Just like our Triple Play program, last week’s Triple Play Day celebrated holistic health and wellness. With the help of New York Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia, 140 young people joined us for activities, snacks and fun. The following photos show just a few of my favorite moments!

Jennifer Bateman is National Vice President of Youth Development Programs for BGCA.

Hanging out with CC Sabathia.

After-school snack challenge!

Using wellness superpowers on the obstacle course.

As CC looks on, kids do some summer sleuthing to keep their minds sharp and race to crack the case!

Stepping Up for Safety

This past week, I hosted leaders from 10 national youth-serving nonprofit organizations to talk about leveraging our collective strengths to promote the physical and emotional safety of youth. Following the tragedies in Parkland, Florida, and Santa Fe, Texas, I pledged to convene these leaders and work together more urgently to address the safety crisis in our country.

In partnership with youth leaders from participating organizations, we discussed how we can continually enhance our own safety policies and practices. We also focused keenly on how we can foster and elevate youth voice and action at all levels. Violence is a major public health issue in this country. In our commitment to address this crisis, we know that every voice deserves a seat at the table.

Youth leaders, including National Youth of the Year Carlos P., joined us to brainstorm, advise and share perspectives. Ensuring young people have the skills and platforms they need to be effective, respected advocates is essential to driving the change we need. When young people have the voice and agency to address the issues that impact them, we can better craft solutions that work to meet their needs and the needs of their communities.

“I am the voice. I will lead, not follow. I will create, not destroy. I am a leader. I am a force for good. I am a force for peace.” – Carlos P., third from left

With millions of youth served during out-of-school time, those needs are as diverse as kids themselves. At Boys & Girls Clubs of America, we know safety is foundational to all we do. But as advocates for those who need us most, we know we can’t reach every young person alone. By stepping up our efforts to ensure children’s physical and emotional safety in Clubs and similar after-school programs, we can share and implement elevated best practices in site security, trauma informed practice, and youth advocacy.

While we might not know everything yet about the road ahead, I know I’m in good company as we fight to make sure every young person has access to a caring adult and a safe place that meets their physical and emotional safety needs.

To learn more about Child & Club Safety at Boys & Girls Clubs of America, please visit BGCA.org or email [email protected].

Money Matters Ambassador Goes to Washington

Hi everyone! I’m Arianna, a soon-to-be college student who wants to help teens become entrepreneurs and community leaders by focusing on their finances. That’s one of the reasons I was selected by Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Charles Schwab Foundation as 2018 National Money Matters Ambassadors.

Visiting MLK Memorial.

Money Matters is a financial education program available at Boys & Girls Clubs across the country. Sponsored by Charles Schwab Foundation, the program teaches Club teens the basics of personal finance and the importance of being financially responsible from a young age. Money Matters taught me how to prioritize spending, manage budgets and develop healthy financial habits.

As Ambassador, I recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet one-on-one with senators and representatives. I wanted to shine a light on how programs like Money Matters can support everyone, no matter their age. We discussed how critical it is to promote financial literacy from a young age. For teens just stepping out on their own or starting to think about higher education, knowing how and why to minimize debt is critical.

Lincoln Memorial

While in Washington, I attended the Jump$tart Coalition's awards dinner. Jump$tart is a partnership of over 100 national organizations (including Schwab Foundation and BGCA) that work to advance financial literacy among preschool through college-age youth. It was encouraging to see so many groups working in collaboration to empower young people to manage their personal finances wisely.

Knowing how to handle money empowers you to take charge of your life. Even small steps, like saving 10 percent of each paycheck, can make a big difference. Because money impacts nearly everything. Yet, 1 in 5 U.S. teens lack basic financial literacy skills, the Program for International Student Assessment reports – unchanged since its first survey in 2012.

From seeing the MLK Memorial (my favorite part of sightseeing!) to the iconic cherry blossoms all around the city, visiting D.C. was an experience I wouldn’t trade for anything. It was great to meet with lawmakers, and know they are there to listen to and support us. Seeing the work Jump$tart is doing encouraged me to continue speaking out about financial literacy. Because financial freedom can help you have the experiences of a lifetime.

I’m thankful for the knowledge I’ve gained through Money Matters. But there’s still a lot more that I, and teens across the country, need to learn.

Getting my scholarship check!

5 quick tips: Here’s how adult allies can support youth advocacy

 

Today’s youth show promise as our future leaders, already serving as powerful catalysts for change on issues that are important to them.  Adult allies can support youth voice through advocacy and by offering long-term assistance as young people work to be heard and respected for their steps toward change.

At BGCA, safety is our number-one priority. Amidst national conversations on school violence, safety, and youth advocacy, we’re organizing with fellow youth-serving organizations to ensure the physical and emotional safety needs of young people are met.

We can’t do it alone. Here’s how you can help support and amplify the voices of the young people who will shape our world:

1. Amplify their voices, not yours.

Tell youth their voices matter—and mean it. As adult allies, it is essential that we create spaces for youth to use their voices. Remember that the steps we take to empower young people must be about boosting their skills and ability to convey their own authentic message, not ours.

When advocating for the perspectives of youth, one helpful approach is to remove your own agenda from the equation entirely, and instead ask thoughtful questions that help young people clarify their own messages and goals. Adult allies can also take a direct approach of inviting youth to participate at the table with other decision-makers who can assist in bringing about change.

Long-term, young people may feel discouraged if they don’t see the immediate impact of their efforts. You can encourage youth by noticing their efforts and acknowledging their impact on the community.

2. Broadcast your willingness to be a “helper.”

Youth voice dies in a vacuum. Organize with other adult allies (like parents, teachers, community members, church leaders, Club staff, etc.) to find ways to signal to students that you are available and willing to support their voice. It can be as simple as clicking “share” when a young person speaks up on social media or making your own social media posts that express interest in partnering with and advocating for youth.

You can also take a more direct approach by asking young people what you can do to help. Consider using the following question: “If you had a partner to help you organize, what would you ask them to help you with?” 

3. Acknowledge and assume competence among youth leadership.

When it comes to issues like school violence, many prevention and support tactics have been tried, but nothing thus far has brought a solution to the problem. It's time to acknowledge that the missing piece of this devastating puzzle might well be the students themselves. Following the leadership of students doesn’t mean you should never speak up or share your opinion, but try to maintain awareness of how your feedback can motivate or demotivate young people in their commitment to finding solutions to the issues that impact them.

Part of assuming competence means giving young people meaningful and respectful feedback when appropriate and providing a safety net when they make mistakes or their efforts don’t succeed. It’s also important to ensure that students understand the bigger picture when approaching complex subjects.

4. Don’t assume anything else.

It can be difficult to remember types of obstacles we faced as students and, let’s face it, most adults have never been forced to endure the level of fear that the threat of school violence presents in our current climate. When partnering with and working to empower young people, it’s important to acknowledge the following factors, both tactical and interpersonal:

• Scheduling: Youth schedules are different. 7 a.m. might be too early and 7 p.m. might not be too late. Ask youth what works for them.
• Transportation: Youth may need transportation support; offer to help coordinate transportation.
• Youth culture: Try to remain flexible and willing to adapt to the changing needs and interests of the young people you’ve partnered with.
• Group dynamics: Tailor your support tactics to suit the personalities of the youth you are partnering with; welcome humor when appropriate.

5. Be realistic about consequences.

Help youth to anticipate and understand how their advocacy may be perceived by others. Provide feedback, ask questions about how tactics and approaches fit into the bigger picture, and help students discuss and plan for how they will respond to negative and positive feedback.

It’s critical that adults inform students of potential consequences that may come from youth participation in advocacy tactics like school walkouts, marches, or other forms of peaceful protest. It’s also important that adults use our voices and influence to challenge those consequences when appropriate. Work to educate young people on their rights and equip them to navigate school and out-of-school settings.

Now is a powerful time for our nation. This upswell of youth advocacy presents an opportunity for adults to help youth voices be heard. Together, we can empower youth to be effective advocates, capable of making a meaningful difference on the issues that are important to them.

This guide has been adapted from resources from Youth ERA. To learn more, please visit youthera.org. Questions? Contact us at [email protected].

5 things military kids wish you knew

By the time I graduated high school, I had been to nine different schools. You guessed it: I’m a military kid. My dad joined the Air Force before I was born and was deployed to Korea for a year just days before my 16^th birthday.

My story is not entirely unique. Military kids move six to nine times on average, and we all face the same kinds of challenges as we navigate the military and civilian worlds.

But while there are nearly 2 million of us, there's a lot you might not know about our lives. So, in honor of the Month of the Military Child, here are a few things we wish you knew:

1. Supportive relationships make a difference.
   

   One of the best resources I found on base was my Boys & Girls Clubs of America-affiliated Youth Center. My first day there, everyone was so welcoming and warm. But it’s my second time there that really got me. They all remembered my name. More than that, they remembered me — they were genuinely interested in my story and my ideas. That meant a lot to me. It still does.

   You meet new people all the time as a military kid. The relationships that make you feel involved, engaged and heard are the ones that stick no matter where you go. Those are the kinds of relationships I found at my Youth Center, and I still rely on them today.

2. We’re resilient but not indestructible.
   

   When transfers, deployments and injuries in the line of duty are the norm for your family, you learn to be especially ready for anything life throws at you. But those social and emotional skills don’t come standard. You can’t learn to perfectly manage your emotions from experience alone.

   Programs that prepare military kids for the challenges they’ll face on and off base are simply a must. It’s like basic training for everyday life.

3. Continuity is key — especially with STEM.
   

   With each new school, there are new people to meet, new cafeteria lunches to enjoy (or not) and new academic requirements to contend with. It can be a challenge to stay on track, especially in highly technical STEM subjects.

   Getting consistent academic support from different Youth Centers is a big help. Thanks to a partnership between BGCA and Raytheon more military kids than ever are getting their hands on advanced technologies and expert support too through the STEM Centers of Innovation being built nationwide on or near military bases.

4. Reintegration can be stressful!
   

   You’ve seen the videos of kids diving into their parent’s arms after a long deployment. That joy is real and those moments are priceless. But the days, weeks and months that follow can be rough going. It’s a big adjustment for the whole family, especially if your parent was injured in the line of duty. Military kids need a little extra care and understanding during those changes.

5. We’re twice as likely to join the military as our peers.
   

   There is a strong sense of pride, commitment and service that goes into being a military family. It’s no wonder so many of us follow in our parents’ footsteps and join the armed services ourselves. It’s an important point to remember — an investment in our military kids is an investment in the next generations of our nation’s men and women in uniform.

They say change is the only constant. That's certainly been true for me. Fortunately, I've had my family and the Boys & Girls Clubs to rely on. While it's a challenging life, I wouldn't give it up for the world. I know a lot of other proud military kids feel the same way.

If you know a military kid, put your newfound knowledge to work and show them your appreciation this month. It won’t go unnoticed.

By Kaila L., National Military Youth of the Year, Boys & Girls Clubs of America

Boys & Girls Clubs of America champions America’s youth, ensuring they have opportunities based on their potential, not their ZIP code. To partner with us on building great futures, please contact us at [email protected].

 

Leaders aren't born, they're made. Here's how to help foster the next generation of leaders in America.

First Lady Barbara Bush, a dedicated public servant and Boys & Girls Clubs supporter, plays pool at the East Branch of the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio in 1992 (image courtesy of San Antonio Express News)

Clubs help to build the next generation of leaders by providing a safe place where young people can explore and develop the skills they need to be the problem-solvers, innovators, and leaders who will shape our world. Just like our Youth of the Year Carlos P., teaching kids to dream big will encourage them to be leaders in their communities. Here are five ways you can help champion youth leadership:

1. Help youth develop the social and emotional skills that will equip them to be fearless, resilient leaders. As our world becomes increasingly complex and interconnected, leadership skills such as communication, goal-setting and teamwork are essential for everyone – especially young people preparing to meet the challenges of adolescence and adulthood.
2. Create opportunities for hands-on service learning. Service learning is a powerful experience that puts youth at the center of their own learning – whether it’s discovering personal passions, identifying community needs, designing service projects, or engaging community members to create meaningful change. Studies show that young people who engage in service do better in school, maintain positive relationships with adults and avoid risky behaviors. An added bonus? Students get the satisfaction of helping to build a better world in their own backyard.
3. Provide mentorship to young people in your community. Young people flourish when they have access to engaged, caring adults who have an interest in the development and future. Research shows that not all mentoring programs are created equally. The most effective programs include best practices like mentor screening and regular training opportunities; making matches based on shared interests; providing support and supervision on a scheduled basis before and during the match; and clear expectations for communication style and frequency.
4. Build college and career readiness through workforce development training for youth. Young people need opportunities to explore, develop, and apply the hard and soft skills that will ensure their success in the workplace. Talk with young people about jobs and pathways to the workforce, with emphasis on the social benefits and ability to help others. Provide opportunities for young people to develop and apply their skills through real-life experiences like community service, internships, pre-apprenticeships, and job shadowing.
5. Support youth development organizations like Boys & Girls Clubs through giving, volunteering, and advocacy. Our character and leadership programs help youth become responsible, caring citizens by developing skills that equip them to participate in the democratic process and have their voices heard. Program participants also develop leadership skills and gain opportunities for planning, decision-making, contributing to Club and community and celebrating our national heritage. Your generosity, passion, and advocacy will help us close the opportunity gap for young people who need us most.

Questions? Please contact us at [email protected].

How Clubs Are Igniting Interest in STEM Among Girls

“I learned that computers only do what you tell them to do. I thought computers were smart, but it is the people that are smart.” — Alsyiana G., Boys & Girls Clubs of Fort Wayne, Indiana

I love that quote. So often, modern technology seems like it has all the answers. But for every question asked of a search engine, every task completed by a smart home device, every calculator computation seemingly pulling numbers from thin air — the answer originates from one smart human being and the many others who put technology into action. At Boys & Girls Clubs of America, we’re proud to partner with Microsoft to inspire young people across the nation, especially young women like Alsyiana, to realize their potential as big thinkers, coders, explorers, engineers and problem-solvers. They’re the faces of STEM's future and we need them.

The next generation of STEM professionals will be the innovators who find cures, solve problems, invent products and generate ideas that transform life as we know it. It’s a booming sector with no end in sight. In fact, between 2014 and 2024, STEM jobs such as computing, engineering and advanced manufacturing are projected to grow by 17 percent, compared to a 12 percent growth rate for non-STEM jobs. Yet our workforce is not rising correspondingly. Too few elementary, middle and high school students are interested in or adequately prepared to pursue careers in science, technology, engineerng and math, a fact that is especially true for youth of color and girls. According to the National Girls Collaborative Project, women make up half of the total U.S. college-educated workforce, but only 29 percent of the science and engineering workforce.

How do we get girls excited about STEM? In its simplest form, the answer is like a science experiment itself: we give them access and watch what happens. What happens when you empower underserved youth to tinker with block-based codes, design and develop original apps, and simulate computational reasoning with the support of passionate mentors and professionals? What happens when you meet kids in their world: building skills, earning digital badges and publishing their digital creations? I can tell you because I’ve seen it myself — their eyes light up and so do their imaginations. Once young women realize they can create, explore and experiment on their own terms, they can begin to see the possibility of a STEM career. In fact, thanks to Club programming, 50 percent of female Club members in the 2016 graduating class expressed an interest in STEM careers, compared to just 16 percent of their peers nationally. Now those are results a scientist - or just about anyone - likes to see!

At BGCA and Microsoft, we understand that STEM education is critical to the future success of America and our young people. That's why we’ve teamed up to prepare the next generation of science, technology, engineering and math leaders by helping more young people — and especially girls, minority youth and those from low-income communities — to learn skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving and coding through computer science education. We’re bringing this programming to kids who might not have access to it otherwise — ensuring whole new generations are introduced to the possibilities that STEM holds for a fulfilling future.

Through our Great Futures 2025 strategic plan, BGCA is dedicated to a sole purpose: to inspire and empower Club youth to achieve success and champion opportunities for all young people . We have eight years to get there and are proud to work alongside partners like Microsoft. Together, we are creating opportunities for America’s youth to achieve great futures.

But today, on International Women’s Day, we pause to celebrate the accomplishments we see right now. Girls logging onto computers, delving into problems and bringing ideas to life as they learn they can be creators in the click of a button. So let’s celebrate all the girls who enter their local Boys & Girls Club and run straight for the tech center. I can’t wait to see what their futures hold, and how their ideas, inventions and achievements will one day shape our world.

Posted by Elizabeth Fowlkes, Senior Vice President of Youth Development for BGCA.