Every day, 15 million kids nationwide (1 out of 4) leave school with no place to go, putting them at risk of being unsupervised, unguided and unsafe. During the summer, an alarming 43 million (3 out of 4) kids in America lack access to summer learning programs, increasing their risk of learning loss and putting them at a disadvantage before the school year starts. The way a child spends their time after school and during the summer can significantly impact the path they take. 

“When the nation prepares to go back to school this fall, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Chattahoochee Valley wants to ensure out-of-school is part of the conversation. We’re taking a leadership role with the Great Futures Campaign to elevate the impact of out-of-school time, a critical, yet often overlooked, part of their day,” said Boys & Girls Club CEO, Rodney Close. “When school is out, no child should go unsafe or unguided. Through the Campaign, we are advocating on behalf of kids andconvening public, private and nonprofit partners around our goal of ensuring all kids have access to a safe, engaging and productive place to go between school and home.”

A response to the crises facing America’s kids, the campaign is focused on reversing the most negative trends facing youth and the country:

• Today’s generation is estimated to be worse off than their parents, the first in America’s history
• Our nation’s graduation rate ranks 22^nd among 28 countries
• Three out of 10 kids are obese or overweight
• One in 5 American kids live in poverty

Nationally, the issues have economic implications, costing as much as $209 billion in lost taxes and higher government expenditures over the lifetimes of those who fail to graduate. Healthcare costs to treat health issues related to childhood obesity are $14.1 billion annually, and states spend an average of $7.1 million a day locking youth up in juvenile justice facilities.

“Boys & Girls Clubs of the Chattahoochee Valley has been serving the community with afterschool and summer programs for over 75 years. During that time, we’ve seen the positive impact that occurs when young people have access to a safe place with caring adult mentors and enriching programs during out-of-school time,” said Rodney Close. “We want today’s generation to be successful in school and in adulthood, to be healthy and active, and to develop strong character skills they need to become future leaders for our country.”

In just one year, BGCCV has increased its success figures in its three targeted program areas that include academic success, healthy lifestyles and character and leadership development. Boys & Girls Clubs of America has included these three programs in their Formula for Impact. This formula focuses on the young people who need them most with the addition of high-yield learning club experiences that ultimately produce improvements in the three, key program areas. In 2013 BGCCV saw the following improvements:

• 11 point increase to 91% of members being promoted to the next grade level;
• 10 point increase in learning basic use of Microsoft Office Suite with 60% of members doing so;
• A 15 point increase in members meeting or exceeding standards in earning a ‘C’ or better each academic semester with 95% of its members falling into this category.
• 95% of members report zero or reduced risky sexual behaviors in the abstinence program
• 15 point increase in avoiding contact with the juvenile justice system at 90%;
• 100% displayed positive engagement in the community through community service.

Boys & Girls Clubs reach kids most in need with outcome-driven programs designed to increase their performance as stated previously. Research shows that when kids attend the Club more frequently, the impact grows, so Clubs create a fun and engaging environment that keeps kids coming back. Goals for the Campaign include:

• Increase membership and access to Clubs for kids who need a safe place to go after school and during the summer
• Ensure successful transitions to middle and high school, and foster college- or career-readiness with 21^st century skills
• Motivate kids to be healthy through nutrition and health education, more access to healthy foods, avoidance of risky behaviors and a lifelong commitment to fitness
• Engage youth in taking action in their community and the world, promote resilience, build character strength, and develop the next generation of America’s leaders