Programs for Kids and Teens in Chicago and Lake County

ClubTech

Through Club Tech, and thanks to a more than $100 million donation from Microsoft, BGCA is providing Clubs with the tools to make Club members and staff effective technology users.

Clubs receive a comprehensive package of the latest Microsoft products – a combined $88 million software gift. With another $12.3 million in cash, BGCA has developed technology programs that will give members basic computer skills; introduce them to digital movie making, music making, photography, graphic design and Web development; and guide staff in using technology to enhance all program offerings. Club Tech also includes extensive technology training opportunities for Club staff at all professional levels.

Youth for Unity

To help educate young people across the country about the importance of tolerance and diversity, Boys & Girls Clubs of America has joined forces with The Allstate Foundation to develop Youth for Unity, a diversity education program designed to combat prejudice, bigotry and discrimination. Youth for Unity is the umbrella title for a comprehensive set of programmatic interventions that will allow Clubs to help members appreciate and understand our society’s diversity, recognize unfairness and take personal leadership in confronting bias. Under this initiative, an additional diversity module will be developed for the Street SMART Program.

Family Support Program

Family Support services, activities, programs and events are designed to promote the well-being and healthy development of Club members by enhancing and reinforcing family stability, cohesion and connection. Examples include: family fun nights, parenting classes, referral to community services, job skills training programs, and single-parent support groups.

TEENSupreme

The TEENSupreme® equips Clubs with tools and resources to create a positive place for teens. B&GCA offers training, technical assistance, teen programming information and resources to all Clubs interested in better serving teens in their communities.

The Creating TEENSupreme workshop provides less experienced youth development professionals with a fundamental understanding of the developmental needs of teens, outlines issues and risk factors facing teens, evaluates stereotypes and attitudes teens deal with and builds the skills necessary to work with teens. The Best Practices in TEENSupreme workshop is designed for seasoned youth development professionals and examines state-of-the-art strategies and programs for recruiting, engaging, empowering and retaining teens.