Affordable
Boys & Girls Clubs Memberships are affordable to all young men and women.
260 of our Club members receive scholarships to attend the Club.
Through our “open door policy,” Club staff are able to effectively serve youth from lower socio-economic backgrounds. Because of the generous support of private donors and public grants, we are able to keep our Clubs accessible to all young people while maintaining high program standards.
Philosophy
Our Youth Development Philosophy
Club staff foster members’ self-worth by encouraging a sense of belonging, competence, usefulness and influence.
Commitment
Our Commitment to Character
Clubs must teach - through word and deed – the importance of living honorably.
Through programs, activities and everyday interactions, Clubs reinforce service and selflessness, caring and compassion, honesty and integrity, freedom and fairness, inclusion and diversity, and knowing right from wrong.
About Us
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County serves over 2,500 children at 5 locations in Manatee County. The first Club in Manatee County opened in 1946. Since then, we have provided hope and opportunity to thousands of children. Our Clubs are open after-school and during the summer. Our programs focus on Character & Leadership Development, Sports, Fitness & Recreation, Education & Career Development, the Arts and Health & Life Skills. To find Club near you, please call (941) 761-CLUB.
Impact 2012
Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County in collaboration with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America kicked off Impact 2012, the national organization’s five-year strategic plan. For the period between 2008 and 2012, BGCA has identified several strategic priorities, the most important being the deepening of impact on young lives through:
- Increased overall daily attendance, and increased frequency of attendance for each Club member;
- Emphasis on outcome measurement of success indicators, including academic achievement, juvenile crime reduction, and level of civic engagement;
- Outreach to more young people and families most in need;
- Special emphasis on serving the needs of teens;
- Strengthening of local Clubs through enhanced training and development of professional youth development staff;
- Establishment of new Clubs in communities where the needs are greatest, reaching a total of 5,000 service locations by 2012. Boys & Girls Clubs of America (www.bgca.org) comprises a national network of more than 4,000 neighborhood-based facilities, with 4.8 million youth served through Club membership and community outreach, in all 50 states and on U.S. military bases worldwide. Known as “The Positive Place for Kids,” Clubs provide guidance-oriented character development programs on a daily basis for children 6-18 years old.
