Boys & Girls Clubs Of Metro Richmond

TO EMPOWER YOUNG PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY THOSE FROM HISTORICALLY MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES, TO SUCCEED IN LIFE.

WHEN NOT OPERATING IN A COVID ENVIRONMENT OUR OUT OF SCHOOL TIME PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES ARE PROVIDED AT SIX CLUBS (LOCATIONS) BY PROFESSIONAL STAFF, COMPLEMENTED BY VOLUNTEERS, FOR 400-500 CHILDREN DAILY, AND 500-600 YOUTH EACH WEEK, FROM AGES 6 TO 23. WE PROVIDE A SAFE OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOP LONG-TERM, TRUSTING RELATIONSHIPS WITH YOUTH. OUR PROGRAM ADDRESSES NEEDS AROUND SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT PROVIDING HOMEWORK ASSISTANCE AND TUTORING AS WELL AS FUN ACTIVITIES DESIGNED TO REINFORCE KEY READING, WRITING AND MATH SKILLS. THE PROGRAM OFFERINGS ARE INTENTIONAL AND YOUTH-LED, DESIGNED TO INSTILL CURIOSITY, EMPOWERMENT AND SELF-DIRECTION IN OUR YOUNG PEOPLE. AFTER SCHOOL SERVICES AND SUMMER DISCOVERY PROGRAMS ALSO PROVIDE AN ENVIRONMENT FOR YOUTH THAT IS PHYSICALLY AND EMOTIONALLY SAFE. DURING PANDEMIC DISRUPTION WE PRIMARILY OFFERED OUT OF SCHOOL PROGRAMS IN SMALL GROUPS THROUGH SOCIALLY DISTRANCED AND VIRTUAL ENGAGEMENTS.

WHEN NOT OPERATING IN A COVID ENVIRONMENT TEEN PROGRAMS ARE FOCUSED ON ENSURING OUR YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE A PLAN FOR LIFE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION. THOUGH HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THAT PLAN, WE ARE WORKING TO HAVE EARLIER CONVERSATIONS AROUND COLLEGE AND/OR CAREER-READINESS. OUR TEEN PROGRAMS PROVIDE ACADEMIC SUPPORT AND ARE DESIGNED TO EXPOSE YOUNG PEOPLE TO OPPORTUNITES FOR POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION, INDUSTRY CREDENTIALS AND GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT, AS WELL AS OTHER POST-HIGH SCHOOL OPTIONS. MANY OF THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE STRUGGLE WITH UNEMPLOYMENT, UNDEREMPLOYMENT OR LIMITED EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT AND WE PROVIDE POSITIVE MENTORS AND NEW PERSPECTIVES TO HELP TEEN ENVISION A DIFFERENT FUTURE FOR THEMSELVES. DURING PANDEMIC DISRUPTION WE PRIMARILY OFFERED TEEN PROGRAMS IN SMALL GROUPS THROUGH SOCIALLY DISTANCED AND VIRTUAL ENGAGEMENTS.

THE COVID RELIEF FUND WAS CREATED BY INVESTMENTS FROM FOUNDATIONS, COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND GENEROUS INDIVIDUALS. MANY OF OUR MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES WERE ALREADY IN FRAGILE FINANCIAL SITUATIONS AND ARE NOW INCREASINGLY VULNERABLE AND DISCONNECTED FROM THOSE SERVICES THAT PROVIDED STABILITY. BEFORE COVID 19, AND ESPECIALLY NOW IN THE MIDST OF UNCERTAINTY, MANY ARE MAKING CHOICES BETWEEN BUYING FOOD OR MEDICATION OR TRANSPORTATION TO A JOB OR PAYING THE RENT OR PAYING THE ELECTRIC BILL. BGCMR PROVIDES STABILITY TO MEMEBERS AND FAMILIES THROUGH MORTGAGE/RENT ASSISTANCE AND UTILITY BILL ASSISTANCE. FAMILIES ARE ALSO PROVIDED FOOD, CLEANING SUPPLIES AND PERSONAL HYGIENE PRODUCTS. COMMUNITY RESOURCES ARE IDENTIFIED FOR FAMILIES TO HELP THEM WEATHER THE VARIED HARDSHIPS THAT THEY ARE EXPERIENCING.