360° Degrees of Service
Clubs Forge Unique Partnerships

Boys & Girls Clubs are always looking for ways to have a lasting and positive impact on the youth they serve. For some Clubs in certain communities, it means surrounding children with every kind of service they need. These organizations go beyond standard program offerings to combine with educational and social services – all under one roof.

To achieve this, these Clubs are partnering with school systems, health clinics, public housing authorities and more, surrounding youth with 360 degrees of service. Clubs and other institutions share missions and resources to support the whole child and community. What’s different about these sites is that they are set up to accommodate both a Club and a school; the facility has separate spaces for each organization but allows for a cooperative effort that provides seamless service to young people and their families.

Catalyst for Change

For example, Milwaukee has consistently ranked among the top 10 U.S. cities with the highest rates of child poverty, youth crime and teen pregnancy. In response to that, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee developed Decade of Hope, a 10-year strategic plan to retain best practices while integrating new resources. The board created a model using a school-based Club that had unique partnerships with other agencies and schools.

As part of the strategy, five new Boys & Girls Club sites were opened in 2007, and more are in the works. While Decade of Hope is in its early stages of implementation, positive results are already evident. Middle school-age Club members are achieving grade point averages 18 percent higher than their peers.

Refuge from Danger

In what has been called America’s poorest, most dangerous city, Boys & Girls Clubs of Camden County, N.J. are using creative ways to expand services to youth.

The organization just opened a Club within a brand new elementary school, thanks to state funding and a collaboration with the local board of education.

The new Clubhouse, across the street from public housing, includes teen and education centers with wireless Internet technology, plus a gamesroom, art room and aquatics center. After school, the Club has access to a gymnasium, auditorium and cafeteria. By the end of the new Club’s first month, more than 500 children were registered members.