After-school hours can be a critical time for children from marginalized communities. Environments without dedicated supervision and enrichment activities may lead to increased risks of engaging in harmful behaviors, such as drug and alcohol use or participating in gang activities. Fortunately, there are many ways that we can help create safe and enriching after-school environments for these youth. Enrichment programs, such as those provided through Boys and Girls Clubs of America, are one way to help reduce the risks associated with after-school time for marginalized youth.
Here Are 5 Statistics Affecting Marginalized Kids After School:
- More than 4 in 10 children live in a household struggling to meet basic expenses
- Kids who live in poverty are four times more likely to be victims of violent crimes
- There are 24.7 million children who are not in an after-school program but would be enrolled if a program were available.
- Kids who participate in after-school programs are more likely to stay in school and less likely to engage in drug use or crime than their peers who don´t attend after-school programs
- Youth involved with Boys & Girls Clubs have a better understanding of the importance of education and are more likely to stay in school and graduate.
These statistics demonstrate how important it is for marginalized youth to access after-school enrichment programs. Enrichment activities, such as those provided through Boys and Girls Clubs of America, create a safe and enriching environment for kids when their parents are not home or available. Through this program, kids can access tutoring, participate in recreational activities and sports, learn leadership skills, and gain access to mentors and role models. Enrichment programs help marginalized youth stay safe after school hours while also helping them build skills for their future.
Believe in Me Grants $17,500 in Funding for Enrichment Programs to Help Kids
At Believe in Me, everyone deserves a chance to reach their potential and have a bright future. We are proud of our involvement with the Enrichment Programs at Boys & Girls Clubs across Washington State. Our support makes it possible for kids and young adults who would otherwise be without a safe place, an opportunity to develop self-esteem and leadership skills that can help them succeed later in life. We want all children to feel supported by people they trust, which is why we are passionate about taking part in this rewarding journey with our friends at the Boys & Girls Club!
The Boys & Girls Clubs of America Offers a Safe Place for 4 Million Kids in Need of Life Skills
Here’s some background, in case you are unfamiliar with your local Boys & Girls Clubs. There are over 4,300 Clubs serving nearly 4 million young people through Club membership and community outreach annually. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing, and on Native lands throughout the country and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide.
Across the nation, Boys and Girls Clubs have a mission to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. They provide a world-class Club experience that assures success is within reach of every young person who enters their doors, with all members on track to graduate from high school with a plan for the future, demonstrating good character and citizenship, and living a healthy lifestyle.
Clubs provide a fun, safe, and constructive environment for kids and teens during out-of-school hours. With character development as the cornerstone of the experience, the Club focuses on capturing kids’ interests, improving their behavior, and increasing their expectations and goals.
According to recent statistics, 7.7 million kids and teens are alone and unsupervised after school, while nearly 25 million don’t have access to after-school programs. Two of these 4,300 Boys & Girls Clubs are among our 26 Grants that Believe in Me awarded funds for the Fiscal Year 2023.
Believe in Me Awards Boys & Girls Club of Spokane a $7,500 Grant
The $7,500 funding awarded to the Boys & Girls Club of Spokane will enable their Keystone Enrichment program to meet better the needs of youth in the Central Valley School District in the Spokane Valley. This club was started in a virtual format amidst the COVID pandemic. Now that they’ve initiated an in-person design for the kids. The club lacks many of the usual items to enrich the youth’s time there. This funding will bolster their equipment and supplies to more effectively provide safe activities that keep children excited to come to the Club, positively impact their academic success, build character, and promote healthy lifestyles for the kids. According to BGCA youth outcome data, the Clubs pride themselves on the fact that 97% of Club teens expect to graduate from high school, and 88% expect to complete some post-secondary education.
Believe in Me Awards Boys & Girls Club of Snohomish County a $10,000 Grant
Believe In Me also grants Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County in Everett, WA, a $10,000 grant for their Native American Culture Connections Club. This program provides Tribal youth ages 6-17 with services that reflect the needs and values of their community, including creative arts exploration to connect with their culture and society and support social-emotional learning skill development.
The Club provides weekly Native American Art Education to a minimum of 173 Native Club members at the Wellpinit Club. Activities include traditional beading, drum making, drawing, and more. Programming consists of Elders visiting the Club to provide traditional storytelling to share the ways of the Tribe and talk about historical trauma. Club staff is trained to support the discussions, provide mentoring, and provide trauma-informed care related to the events on an ongoing basis.
Native Clubs are essential for Native American Youth in WA State
Native Clubs continue to play a critical role in the care, safety, and support of Native youth. As the preeminent Native youth-serving organization, Boys & Girls Clubs on Native Lands has risen to meet the rapidly changing needs of our communities. This Club offers opportunities to provide Native youth with ongoing relationships with caring adult professionals, a safe place to learn and grow, life-enhancing programs, character development experiences, and hope and opportunity. Native Clubs strengthen their youth’s cultural identity through programming that promotes positive youth growth and development along critical cultural, social, emotional, intellectual, and physical dimensions through viable and sustainable organizations.
BGCA Native Services is a dedicated group of leaders that works tirelessly to provide culturally appropriate support to Boys & Girls Clubs on Native Lands. They are committed to addressing the challenges and issues unique to Native communities while celebrating their strengths.
Believe In Me Foundation is Making A Better Future For Kids in WA
By helping to fund these activities, we can ensure that marginalized Native youth have the opportunity to discover new hobbies and interests while staying safe during those critical after-school hours. Enrichment programs are an important way to help keep at-risk youth engaged in positive activities and stay on track for success. With the right resources and support, we can allow them to reach their full potential even during those critical after-school hours. Let’s ensure that all of our children have access to safe and enriching activities that keep them on track for success.
Believe in Me Foundation is proud to support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Spokane and Snohomish County. These grants will help provide kids with educational opportunities and resources to foster positive development, cultural identity, and social connection. By providing this funding, we are investing in the future of our youth. Let’s prioritize these programs in our communities and give all children the opportunity to thrive. Together we can make a difference!
