Spotlight on Boys & Girls Clubs of the Peninsula
The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Peninsula (BGCP) was established with a mission to provide young people from low-income families with the opportunities and support they need to achieve academically. Read on to learn the history of BGCP, as well as the vital work the organization carries out in supporting and inspiring young people across Silicon Valley.
Closing the opportunity gap
When we talk about Silicon Valley, we tend to think of dot-com companies and multi-millionaires. The reality is far less salubrious for many inhabitants. Although the area currently enjoys unprecedented levels of wealth and growth, not all residents benefit from a culture of opportunity and optimism. Many young people in Silicon Valley are growing up without access to the same opportunities enjoyed in adjacent communities.
According to Boys & Girls Clubs of the Peninsula:
Just 7 percent of young people in Silicon Valley have a parent who attended college.
80 percent of Silicon Valley students are English language learners.
25 percent of young people in the region are in foster care or experiencing homelessness.
35 percent of local students do not graduate high school.
70 percent of local students do not read at grade level.
BGCP’s Mission
The organization partners with schools, families, and policymakers to close the learning gap, providing students from underprivileged backgrounds with equal opportunities through summer school, after-school, and school day programming.
The organization delivers programming four days a week for 2,500 students in the Silicon Valley area.
BGCP’s learning programs provide a 60 percent increase in learning time, equating to an extra 100 school days per year. Further, 85 percent of youth supported by BGCP avoid learning loss through the summer break by participating in the organization’s Summer Learning Academy. Due to this extended learning time, 90 percent of BGCP’s members go on to graduate high school.
BGCP was founded in 1958.
The association was established to give at-risk youth a safe place to build constructive peer and adult relationships. Upon joining the Club, members could connect with adult mentors and role models and participate in activities. When they turned 18 and graduated high school, most members secured entry-level manufacturing jobs, providing a secure footing for a long-term career and enabling them to support a family.
Although positive relationships and safety are still as important as ever, BGCP addresses a variety of different issues today. The Club helps young people build 21st-century skills, paving the way for training or post-secondary education, to help them benefit from the vast opportunities presented throughout Silicon Valley.
BGCP also provides expanded learning opportunities, helping young people fill in the gaps while at the same time reinforcing what they learn in school. The group helps youth develop their academic mindsets, forming positive habits to lead them to success, both in school and in their future careers.
The organization’s after-school programs provide a safe haven in which to learn.
The Club partners with schools, cities, families, districts, and other nonprofit organizations to present innovative academic enrichment programs where young people can find the support necessary to overcome challenges and fulfill their potential.
High school programs provide academic and career readiness support, helping students in a variety of different ways, including tutoring, financial support, academic case management, skill building, homework assistance, and applying for college.
New Programs for 2020
Throughout 2020, BGCP will partner with Ravenswood City School District and Redwood City School District to offer summer school programs for kindergarten through 5th-grade students.
The Summer Learning Academy will include:
A five-week, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. program
Three hours of intensive English and math instruction from certified teachers
Four hours of enrichment programs covering Galileo Learning subjects such as STEM, art, and fitness
A student-to-adult ratio of 6 to 1, with adults consisting of teachers, staff members, and community volunteers, facilitating fun, hands-on small-group learning
Daily nutritious meals including breakfast, lunch, and snacks
Volunteering with BGCP
For people within the Silicon Valley seeking a break from their regular routines, volunteering with the Club can be a meaningful, rewarding way to give back to the local community. The opportunity also enables them to meet new people and acquire new skills all at the same time.
Even those with just a few hours to spare can support BGCP and the vital work they undertake within Silicon Valley. From group homework help, to mentoring, to sports coaching, the organization relies heavily on local volunteers. To learn more, visit the BGCP website.