West End House Inc

TO INSPIRE AND ENABLE YOUNG PEOPLE TO REALIZE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL AS PRODUCTIVE, RESPONSIBLE, AND CARING CITIZENS. THE CLUB IS AN INDEPENDENT BOYS & GIRLS CLUB AND ONE OF THE MOST DIVERSE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND COLLEGE AND CAREER SUCCESS ORGANIZATIONS IN BOSTON. IT IS THE LARGEST YOUTH DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION LOCATED IN ALLSTON-BRIGHTON, AND ENROLLS YOUNG PEOPLE COMING FROM 23 OF 30 BOSTON ZIP CODES. THE CLUB'S GOALS ARE TO EMPOWER YOUTH AGES 8-24 TO SUCCEED IN SCHOOL, DISCOVER THEIR ARTISTIC PASSIONS AND SKILLS, ADOPT HEALTHY LIFESTYLES, SUCCESSFULLY PURSUE COLLEGE AND CAREER PATHWAYS, AND BECOME COMMUNITY LEADERS.

THE CLUB'S INNOVATIVE, OUTCOMES DRIVEN, AND COMMUNITY-CENTERED APPROACH LED IT TO SUCCESSFULLY NAVIGATE THE PANDEMIC WITH IN-PERSON PROGRAMMING BEGINNING IN JULY 2020. WHEN BPS CLOSED, THE CLUB LAUNCHED A LEARNING HUBS INITIATIVE OPERATING FROM 7AM-7PM AND WAS 1 OF ONLY 3 ORGANIZATIONS TO SERVE TEENS CITYWIDE. THE CLUB ALSO LAUNCHED A FAMILY FOOD PROGRAM THAT HAS DISTRIBUTED OVER 600,000 LBS. OF GROCERIES AND CONTINUES TO COMBAT FOOD INSECURITY. THE CLUB IS FOCUSED ON THE FOLLOWING STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS:*RESTORE HIGH-IMPACT PROGRAMS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO THE BEST OUTCOMES FOR MEMBERS AND ALUMNI AND PUT THEM ON A PATH TO SUCCESS.*ACTIVELY RECRUIT AND SERVE DISENGAGED YOUTH MOST IMPACTED BY THE DUAL PANDEMICS.*ELEVATE COMMUNITY WELLNESS THROUGH A FRAMEWORK OF INTERVENTIONS THAT SUPPORT HEALING FOR YOUTH, FAMILIES, AND ALUMNI.*CULTIVATE A WORK ENVIRONMENT THAT ATTRACTS AND RETAINS GROWTH-MINDED PROFESSIONALS BY NURTURING STAFF WELL-BEING AND EMBRACING ACCOUNTABILITY TO EACH OTHER AND THE CLUB'S MISSION.*DEVELOP NEXT-GENERATION LEADERSHIP AND PHILANTHROPIC SUPPORT TO ENSURE LONG-TERM, SUSTAINABLE IMPACT.THE CLUB'S YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS ARE HOSTED AT ITS 45,000 SQUARE FOOT FACILITY IN ALLSTON AND FOCUSES ON FOUR CORE PROGRAM AREAS: ACADEMIC AND COLLEGE SUCCESS; LEADERSHIP AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT; VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS; AND SPORTS, FITNESS, AND NUTRITION. THE CLUB'S COLLEGE AND CAREER PATHWAYS INITIATIVE HAS A WEEKLY PRESENCE AT LOCAL COLLEGE CAMPUSES AND HOSTS OFFICE HOURS ONLINE AND AT THE CLUB'S ALLSTON FACILITY.*ACADEMIC AND COLLEGE SUCCESS PROGRAMMING SERVES YOUNG PEOPLE FROM 2ND GRADE THROUGH COLLEGE COMPLETION. THE CLUB'S FULL AND PART TIME STAFF DELIVER PROGRAMS INCLUDING HOMEWORK COMPLETION SUPPORT; LITERACY AND STEM PROGRAMS; AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL SKILL DEVELOPMENT. THE CLUB HELP YOUTH WITH ALL ELEMENTS OF COLLEGE PREPARATION FROM EXPLORATION, FINANCIAL AID, SAT PREPARATION, AND COLLEGE TOURS. THE CLUB'S THREE FULL TIME COLLEGE AND CAREER SUCCESS COACHES PROVIDE 1-ON-1 AND GROUP COACHING ON CAMPUS AND REMOTELY FOR 200 ALUMNI PURSUING A COLLEGE DEGREE.*LEADERSHIP AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT: THE CLUB'S YOUTH EMPLOYMENT INITIATIVE IS A UNIQUE, MULTI-YEAR CONTINUUM DESIGNED TO ADDRESS THE SPECIFIC NEEDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE, POSITIONING THEM FOR SUCCESS AS THEY ACHIEVE LONG-TERM CAREER ADVANCEMENT. THE CLUB'S PROGRESSIVE EMPLOYMENT PIPELINE SUPPORTS YOUTH AGES 14-24 TO BOLSTER CAREER READINESS SKILLS, ENGAGE IN ON-SITE AND EXTERNAL EMPLOYMENT, AND COMPLETE CAREER-ALIGNED PAID INTERNSHIPS OF UP TO $5,000 PROVIDE BY THE CLUB TO BOLSTER INDUSTRY-SPECIFIC SKILLS.*VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS ARE DELIVERED BY FULL AND PART TIME STAFF WHO PROVIDE HIGH-QUALITY INSTRUCTION IN MUSIC, VISUAL ARTS, MEDIA ARTS, AND DANCE THAT HELPS YOUTH DEVELOP MASTERY-LEVEL SKILLS VIA PROGRESSIVE LEARNING. YOUTH LEARN THE BASICS THEN DEVELOP HIGHER SKILL LEVELS WHICH CULMINATE IN A FINISHED PRODUCT OR PERFORMANCE TO SHARE WITH THEIR PEERS. IN ADDITION, THE CLUB'S ARTS CLASSES OFFER EXPERIENCES THAT FOSTER CRITICAL THINKING AND NON-COGNITIVE SKILL DEVELOPMENT.*SPORTS, FITNESS, AND NUTRITION PROGRAMMING IS DESIGNED TO IMPROVE THE PHYSICAL HEALTH AND NUTRITION OF YOUNG PEOPLE WITH AN EMPHASIS ON DEVELOPING LIFELONG, HEALTHY LIFESTYLE HABITS. THIS INCLUDES PROVIDING DINNER AND SNACK MADE FROM SCRATCH DAILY DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR AND LUNCH DURING THE SUMMER WITH ACCESS TO WHOLE GRAINS, FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES, AND LEAN PROTEINS. THE CLUB ALSO ENGAGES YOUTH IN A WIDE RANGE OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES DESIGNED TO KEEP THEM MOVING FOR 60 MINUTES A DAY, AND OFFER ACTIVITIES SUCH AS FITNESS CLASSES, COOKING CLASSES AND FITNESS/ANATOMY INSTRUCTION.SINCE THE ONSET OF THE PANDEMIC, THE CLUB ADAPTED TO MEET COMMUNITY NEEDS INCLUDING SERVING AS A REMOTE LEARNING SITE FOR BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS FROM SEPTEMBER 2020 TO JUNE 2021, HOSTED VACCINE AND TESTING CLINICS, AND DISTRIBUTED OVER 600,000 LBS. OF GROCERIES IN THE COMMUNITY.LEARNING HUBS (PANDEMIC PROGRAM THAT RAN FROM SEPTEMBER 2020-JUNE 2021): THE CLUB PROVIDED ON-SITE ACCESS AND SUPPORT FOR MEMBERS (WITH A DAILY ATTENDANCE OF 90 YOUNG PEOPLE) TO COME IN DURING THE SCHOOL DAY TO BE IN AN ENVIRONMENT CONDUCIVE TO LEARNING, WITH THE FULL SUPPORT OF STAFF MEMBERS. HEALTHY, FRESH, SCRATCH-MADE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH WERE PROVIDED TO STUDENTS.FAMILY FOOD PROGRAM (PANDEMIC PROGRAM IN OPERATION SINCE MARCH 2020, NOW PART OF DAILY OPERATIONS): TO MEET THE INCREDIBLE DEMAND FOR MANY IN THE COMMUNITY WHO ARE FOOD INSECURE, THE CLUB LAUNCHED A FULL-SCALE GROCERY DELIVERY PROGRAM IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE GREATER BOSTON FOOD BANK SERVING OVER 1,600 INDIVIDUALS FROM NEARLY 400 FAMILIES. SINCE INCEPTION THE CLUB HAS DISTRIBUTED OVER 300 TONS (600,000 LBS.) OF GROCERIES.THE DUAL PANDEMICS EXACERBATED AN EXISTING NEED FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. AS A RESULT, THE CLUB IS EMPOWERING ALL YOUTH TO ADVANCE THEIR WHOLE HEALTH, WELLNESS, AND IN ADDITION FOR TEENS AND COLLEGE STUDENTS, THEIR COLLEGE/CAREER GOALS. MANAGING BURNOUT IN ONLINE CLASSES, PROCESSING GRIEF FOR THOSE LOST IN COMMUNITIES DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED BY THE PANDEMIC AND PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE AMIDST UNCERTAINTY CREATED UNPRECEDENTED CHALLENGES. THE CLUB STEPPED IN TO BRIDGE THE GAP, CONNECTING STUDENTS TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND PROVIDING SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE SPACE FOR THEM. THE CLUB SECURED FUNDS TO HIRE A FULL-TIME LICENSED SOCIAL WORKER WHO WILL SERVE AS THE NEW DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELL-BEING, HELPING TO ESTABLISH WEST END HOUSE AS A TRAUMA-INFORMED ORGANIZATION USING THE TRAUMA-INFORMED FRAMEWORK OF BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF AMERICA.OUTCOMES AND EVALUATIONTHE CLUB CONTINUES TO TRACK AND MONITOR YOUTH PROGRESS TO MEASURE INDIVIDUAL AND PROGRAMMATIC SUCCESS WITH THE FOLLOWING TOOLS:*NATIONAL YOUTH OUTCOMES INITIATIVE (NYOI) IS A SURVEY TOOL CREATED BY THE CLUB'S NATIONAL AFFILIATE, BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF AMERICA, WHICH USES A COMMON SET OF RESEARCH INFORMED INDICATORS TO MEASURE THE IMPACT OF THE CLUB IN SEVEN PRIORITY AREAS: SENSE OF BELONGING, EMOTIONAL SAFETY, PHYSICAL SAFETY, FUN, ADULT CONNECTION, STAFF EXPECTATIONS, AND RECOGNITION.*YOUTH PROGRAM QUALITY ASSESSMENT (YPQA) AND YOUTH PROGRAM QUALITY INTERVENTION (YPQI) ARE METHODS OF MEASURING THE QUALITY OF YOUTH PROGRAMS AND IDENTIFYING STAFF TRAINING NEEDS IN COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, SCHOOLS, CAMPS, AND OTHER PLACES WHERE YOUTH IN GRADES K-12 HAVE FUN, WORK, AND LEARN WITH ADULTS. ASSESSMENT COMPONENTS INCLUDE SAFE ENVIRONMENT, SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT, INTERACTION, ENGAGEMENT, YOUTH-ORIENTED POLICIES AND PRACTICES, HIGH EXPECTATION FOR YOUTH AND STAFF, AND ACCESS. THIS SELF ASSESSMENT PROCESS FACILITATES BUILDING PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES BY EXAMINING WHAT IS HAPPENING IN PROGRAMS.*SURVEY OF ACADEMIC YOUTH OUTCOMES (SAYO) IS AN EVIDENCE-BASED TOOL THAT MEASURES IMPROVEMENTS IN SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL BEHAVIOR. SAYO RELIES ON STAFF OBSERVATIONS AND YOUTH SURVEYS TO ASSESS IMPROVEMENTS IN BEHAVIOR, INITIATIVE, ENGAGEMENT IN LEARNING, PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS,COMMUNICATION, PEER RELATIONSHIPS, AND READING LEVEL. IT RECOGNIZES DIFFICULT TO MEASURECAPABILITIES SUCH AS SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, SELF-CONFIDENCE, AND LEADERSHIP.*MEMBER TRACKING SYSTEM: A DATABASE THAT IS USED TO COLLECT AND REVIEW QUARTERLY ACADEMIC PROGRESS REPORTS AND REPORT CARDS OF ALL YOUTH. THIS INFORMATION HELPS TO IDENTIFY YOUTH IN NEED OF ADDITIONAL TARGETED SUPPORT AND ASSISTS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF INDIVIDUAL INTERVENTION PLANS TO ENSURE ALL YOUNG PEOPLE ARE MEETING CRITICAL EDUCATIONAL BENCHMARKS.*SALESFORCE: A CUSTOMIZED DATABASE USED BY THE CLUB'S COLLEGE SUCCESS STAFF THAT TRACKS KEY DATA POINTS INCLUDING DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION; COLLEGE ENROLLMENT RATES; GRADES, CREDITS EARNED,COURSE COMPLETION; COACHING INTERACTIONS; VERIFICATION OF FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID COMPLETION; PERSISTENCE AND GRADUATION RATES; AND CAREER INTERESTS.