Boys & Girls Clubs Helps Local Young People Create Great Futures

By Shane Irving

There is no silver bullet to success. It takes an army of people, a safe environment, high-quality programs and unique experiences to level the playing field for our young people in Alachua County.

Our Boys & Girls Clubs do whatever it takes to build great futures for our local kids and teens.

To help young people succeed, it takes caring mentors, such as our trained Club staff. It takes a safe place, like our Clubs that are consistently there for the kids and teens they serve. And it takes innovative, quality programs designed to empower young people to excel in school and lead healthy, productive lives.

We do whatever it takes to ensure all young people have a great future.

About Us

Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida provides a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs during critical non-school hours and during the summer. In Gainesville, we serve young people ages 6-18 daily at our Northwest and Woodland Park Boys & Girls Clubs.

Our Mission

The mission of Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.

Our Vision

The vision of Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida is to provide a world-class Club Experience that assures success is within reach of every young person who enters our 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.

Our Core Programs: More Than Sports

 

At Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida in Alachua County, we provide quality athletic programs that help our Club members and other young people in the community engage in physical activities that keep their minds, bodies and spirits healthy.

However, our Clubs have so much more to offer these young people beyond sports and athletic opportunities.

The Club provides national, evidence-based, diversified activities that meet the interests of all young people. Core programs encourage activities with adults, peers and family members that enable young people to enhance their self-esteem and fulfill their potential.

Based on the physical, emotional, cultural, and social needs and interests of boys and girls, and recognizing developmental principles, the Club offers diversified program activities in five core areas:

  1. Character & Leadership
  2. Education & Workforce Readiness
  3. The Arts
  4. Health & Wellness
  5. Sports & Recreation

 

Club Impact

Imagine a place where who you are, where you’re from or the circumstances that surround you don’t determine your access to experiences or opportunities. Through your support, Boys & Girls Clubs are making that vision a reality.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida in Alachua County is committed to changing lives. By measuring how much Club kids and teens are achieving, we can determine how effectively the Club experience is helping our local young people build great futures.

In a Harris Survey of Boys & Girls Clubs alumni, 57 percent said the Club saved their lives.

We are proud to report the following outcomes for our young people who attend our Clubs for 60 days or more:

  • 94% of Club members are promoted to the next grade level before summer school.
  • 100% of our middle and high-school Club members have not become teen mothers.
  • 98% of our Club members have not entered into the juvenile justice system.

How to Get Involved with Our Gainesville Clubs

  • Join the Club: Young people ages 6-18 are welcome to join the Club during the school year or for our summer academy.
  • Donate: We could not do the important work of creating great futures without support from individuals, businesses and other community partners.
  • Volunteer: Give of your time and talents to help our young people reach their full potential. Visit our website to learn more about volunteering.
  • Join Our Team: We are always looking for new team members who are passionate about helping our people create great futures. Visit our website to browse jobs.

Thank you for helping us create great futures for young people in Alachua County!