Boys & Girls Clubs have changed a lot over the past 160+ years. Today, the pace of that change is accelerating. In this environment, keeping up and catching up are not enough. To stay relevant, we have to stay ahead. That takes boldness and vision. It takes connection and collaboration.
It takes courage.
In 2023, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) convened a National Planning Commission of more than 40 local Boys & Girls Club leaders – representing traditional, military, Native and Salvation Army Clubs, as well as national staff. Together, we spent more than a year digging into data; learning from kids, teens, caregivers, and staff; discussing industry trends; reviewing Club insights; and engaging with a broad and diverse cross-section of local Clubs to gather feedback and devise a shared strategic direction for moving us forward. The result is a framework for achieving collective impact for young people in America. This framework is based on a simple principle – that while the activities of our Clubs are rightly centered around our local communities, they are also part of a larger whole. The impact we have locally radiates outward, creating ripple effects, elevating our reputation and augmenting the impact of other Clubs. In the end, our local successes accrue and amplify to benefit the entire nation.
Our Purpose:
To inspire and empower our members to achieve success & to champion opportunities for all young people in America,
Our Aspirations for Young People:
Every young person will have equitable access to high-quality youth development that enables them to:
- Be safe and experience social, emotional, physical and mental well-being.
- Graduate high school equipped with skills and experiences that will lead to post-secondary, work and life success.
- Lead change that will advance their families, their communities and the nation.
Our Goals:
We will enable young people to achieve positive outcomes in four areas:
- Health & Well-Being
- Character & Leadership
- Academic Success
- Life & Workforce Readiness
By building essential skills and priority outcomes through high-quality Club Experiences and evidence-informed programming, we can nurture lasting impact on the kids, teens and young adults we serve.
To learn more about Future Ready, the Movement’s strategic direction, and its key strategies, go to Future Ready under the Resources page.