Statements
Mission
Our Mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens. This mission is accomplished through our after school, summer enrichment, and sports programs at 14 Clubs in Davidson and Williamson County. In everything we do, our programs and activities instill in Club members four things: a sense of competence--they can do something and do it well; a sense of usefulness--whatever they are doing, it is of value and worthy of their time; a sense of belonging--each child feels they are special and are part of something significant; and a sense of power/influence--the knowledge that their voices will be heard and that they too can influence their environment.
Background
Since 1903, the Boys & Girls Clubs has provided a safe, nurturing environment for children, particularly children from low-income families, in Middle Tennessee. Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee provides safe, fun, and affordable places for more than 7,000 K-12 youth to go during out-of-school time to connect with caring, trained professionals, and engage in enriching programs and activities. Our curriculum-based, targeted programming is designed to help our Club members reach their Great Futures through three priority outcomes: Academic Success, Healthy Lifestyles and Good Character. The Clubs offer youth, ages 5 to 18, an opportunity to realize their strengths and develop skills as a foundation for successful and productive lives. The mission of the Boys & Girls Club is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential by involving parents, volunteers, educators and the business community to offer after-school and summer programs at 14 sites. Many Club members are living in poverty and qualify for the free or reduced lunch program while 67% live in households headed by a single female. National studies have found 35% of school-age children are unsupervised after school from the time they are 12 years old. In low-income homes, these numbers increase significantly. Left on their own, children have a lower chance of becoming productive citizens. If, however, these youth join a Club, their chances for a successful high school graduation are increased, teen pregnancy incidence is reduced, and chances of becoming leaders and going to college become a possibility or a reality. Many youth need a relationship with a caring adult and life experiences for them to learn for themselves that they can succeed.
We are halfway through our five-year strategic plan, DUB100By2026. Before the pandemic, we served 4,700 youth. We want to double (DUB) that number to 10,000, and we want all our youth to be 100 "Ready" (100). We have five "Readys": Ready to Read, Ready for Class, Ready to Graduate, Ready for Career, and Ready to Thrive in Community. We are halfway through the plan chronologically (year three of a five-year plan) and halfway in terms of numbers served (7,000 out of 10,000).
Impact
The problem: In our community, many 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. Every day at 3 p.m., while many parents are still working, many of the young people in the communities we serve lack meaningful, positive things to do during the after-school hours. Research shows youth-related crime nationwide doubles between 3-6 p.m. every weekday. Families worry about kids being safe and having too much idle, unsupervised time. Law enforcement data shows that violent crimes and sexual assaults by juveniles peak in the afternoon between 3 and 4 p.m., the hour at the end of the school day. Poverty, single-parent families, birth rate among teens, and not completing high school continue to create negative influences on the lives of our teens. Young people need to know that someone cares about them. The solution: Boys & Girls Clubs promote and enhance the development of children by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging, and influence. Our Clubs help keep boys and girls safe and improve academic achievement by providing critical opportunities to learn and grow. Students in quality after-school programs have better academic performance, behavior and school attendance and greater expectations for the future. Students who spend one to four hours per week in extracurricular activities are 51% less likely to have used drugs and 63% less likely to become teen parents than those who do not. Our Clubs keep kids in school, preparing them for college and the job market, giving them a sense of belonging, and provide caring adult role models. Allowing one youth to leave high school for a life of crime and drug use costs society $1.7 - $2.3 million. Investing in Boys & Girls Clubs gives our kids hope, opportunity, and access.
Needs
1. Financial support - Scholarships for youth to attend the Club, funds to purchase healthy meals or snacks, or sponsorships for programs or activities are examples of ways to become financially involved in support of the BGCMT Club members. 2. Volunteer support - Clubs need volunteers that work with youth as caring adult mentors, role models, and tutors. Other examples of volunteering opportunities include (but are not limited to): volunteering at Club events and organizational special events, (such as the Great Futures Gala, Steak & Burger Dinner, Ingram Cup Golf Challenge, and Wine Down Main Street), programming and technical skill trainers for Club members, (which include computer skills, health skills, the arts, sports, crafts, etc.), and basic clean up or painting. 3. In-Kind support - With limited space, please call to ensure we are able to accept the item(s). 4. Community partnership opportunities which will enhance our core goals, broaden Club member's awareness, and provide educational and life experience opportunities are greatly appreciated. Shared expertise is invaluable in providing a quality experience for youth.
CEO Statement
Boys & Girls Clubs are unique in that we..... Provide service to youth....we cater to our youth. Have a dedicated youth facility....a physical place that is just for youth
Provide youth with daily access to our programs.....over 38 nationally tested life enhancing programs which include learning about money and making good personal decisions Have trained professional program staff.....we could not do this work without them Focus on youth who need us most....our niche is for those youth who need someone to 'stand in the gap' for the 'others'.
Service Categories |
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| Primary Category: | Youth Development - Boys and Girls Clubs (Combined) |
| Secondary Category: | Human Services - Children's and Youth Services |
| Tertiary Category: | Youth Development - Boys and Girls Clubs (Combined) |
Areas Served
Andrew Jackson Homes Club (north Nashville), Chadwell Club (east Nashville), Neely's Bend Club (Madison), Preston Taylor Club (west Nashville), Eagle View Club (south Nashville), Glengarry Club (south Nashville), Shwab Club (east Nashville), and Valor Academy Clubs (south Nashville) are in Davidson County. Franklin and Fairview Clubs are in Williamson County.
| TN - Davidson |
| TN - Williamson |
| TN - Montgomery |
