THE SALVATION ARMY
The United States is facing a national crisis with soaring high school drop-out rates, coupled with low fitness and high obesity within our young people. The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs are providing solutions to this national epidemic through homework help, engaging and fun nutritional tips, energizing sports and recreational activities and challenging academic programs. Throughout the nation, Clubs are reaching out to a generation at risk by providing positive guidance and exciting opportunities.
Jennifer Lopez, Michael Jordan, Brad Pitt, President Clinton, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Martin Sheen, Neil Diamond, Denzel Washington. What do all of these people and millions more throughout America, have in common? They are all alumni of Boys & Girls Clubs. While many Club alumni have achieved particular distinction in fields such as entertainment, business, politics and sports, the average alumnus is not famous. Most have achieved success by getting an education, raising a family, serving their country, pursuing a career or supporting the community.
Boys & Girls Clubs provide young people with:
- A safe place to spend time during non-school hours and the summer as an alternative to the streets or being home alone.
- A chance to play, have fun, laugh and learn.
- Opportunities to build new skills that raise each child’s belief that he or she can succeed and receive recognition for personal accomplishments.
- Support to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens.
- Ongoing relationships with caring adults and connections to new friends in a positive environment, reinforcing a sense of belonging, personal accountability, civility and civic responsibility.
- Generation-changing programs that support a commitment to learning, positive values, healthy habits and high expectations for success as an adult.
Unique Characteristics of The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club:
- Clubs are community-based and building-centered.
- Clubs provide a safe, affordable place for young people during non-school hours and during the summer.
- Clubs are led by paid, trained youth development professionals.
Based on research by Louis Harris & Associates, Club alumni have very strong feelings about their individual Club experiences:
80%
said Club staff helped them learn right from wrong
95%
indicated the Club was the best thing available in their community.
52%
said participating in the Club “saved my life.”
The mission of the Boys & Girls Club is “to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.” The Club programs and services promote and enhance the development of boys and girls by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging and influence. Boys & Girls Clubs are a safe place to learn and grow – all while having fun. It is the place where great futures are started each and every day.
