Open the Door to Afterschool Programs
Give more kids a safe place to stay on track.
Open the Door to Afterschool Programs
1 in 2 kids don’t have a safe place to go after school.
Back-to-School Success Starts Here
Afterschool matters just as much as back to school. But for 1 in 2 kids, it’s a gap they face alone.
Every afternoon, while parents work, Boys & Girls Clubs become a second home for over 4 million young people. Here, K-12 students receive:
- Consistent academic support
- Daily meals to stay fed & focused
- Caring mentors who listen and show up
- Opportunities to grow life skills, confidence & leadership
Because when Club kids start strong, they graduate ready for what’s next. America Needs Club Kids. Club Kids Need You.
Accelerating America’s Students After School
Club Kids Succeed in School
4-in-5
report earning mostly A’s and B’s in the past year.
Club Kids Have Good Attendance
83%
say they have not skipped school in the past month.
Club Kids are on Track to Graduate
97%
expect to graduate from high school, while young Club alumni are 60% more likely to be working full-time than their peers.
Club Kids Eat Healthy Daily
99%
of Clubs provide free, healthy meals and snacks, serving over 86 million annually to kids.
Where America’s Future Leaders Get Their Start
Camarria
Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago
Grade 10
Camarria followed her passion for science into her Club’s STEM program — and made a breakthrough in cancer research. Her discovery led to published medical research and scholarship offers, paving the way to college.
Crystal
John M. Barry Boys & Girls Club of Newton, MA
Grade 11
When Crystal first joined the Club, she rarely spoke up. Now, she’s a leader conducting after-school experiments that get kids engaged in STEM. She dreams of becoming a neuroscientist, helping more kids learn, grow and thrive.
Langston
Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan
Grade 12
At 13, Langston dreamed of a fashion career. His Club got him started, providing mentors and workforce programs that brought his designs to the runway and national retailers — all before graduation.
Thank You to our Back-to-School Partners
A special thanks to our partners for opening doors to academic success, nourishment and opportunity for Club kids this back-to-school season.
2-in-3 fourth graders are behind in math and reading1, and 1-in-4 public school students miss too much school.2
Your support helps keep over 4 million Club kids engaged, on track, and ready for life beyond graduation.
Are you a parent?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Back-to-school support helps students start the school year prepared, confident and ready to learn. Access to school supplies, academic resources, caring mentors and safe after-school environments can help young people stay engaged in school, build positive habits and develop the skills they need for future success. For many families, back-to-school support also helps reduce financial barriers and ensures students have the tools they need to thrive.
High-quality after-school programs provide a safe and supportive environment where students can continue learning outside the classroom. Through homework help, enrichment activities, mentorship and social-emotional learning opportunities, after-school programs help young people improve academic performance, build confidence, develop healthy relationships and prepare for future goals.
You can support students by making a donation to Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Donations help provide academic support, mentoring, school supplies, meals and snacks, and life-shaping programs that prepare young people for success in school, work and life. Every contribution helps create more opportunities for kids and teens to reach their full potential.
Boys & Girls Clubs serve communities across the United States and on military installations around the world. To find a Club near you, use the Club locator on BGCA.org. Enter your ZIP code or city to find local Clubs, learn about available programs and connect with resources in your community.
After-school programs help young people stay safe, engaged and supported during out-of-school hours. Research shows that quality after-school programs can improve academic outcomes, encourage positive social development, strengthen mental well-being and help students build the skills they need to succeed in school, careers and life.
Sources
1 Nations Report Card (2024), NAEP Reading: Reading Results, NAEP Mathematics: Mathematics Results
2 Thompson, D. (2024, April 5). Why school absences have “exploded” across America. The Ringer. https://www.theringer.com/2024/4/5/24121880/why-school-absences-have-exploded-across-america.
