Education & Career Development
Our Clubs boost the efforts of our members’ education through enrichment
programs that include:
Goals for Graduation – We encourage Club members to envision their future
and take concrete actions to achieve their goals. Beginning at age 6, our Club
members learn that higher education can help them reach career goals. If they
dare to dream, there’s an educational track that can take them where they want
to go. We help align their dreams of becoming an astronaut, accountant, teacher,
doctor, lawyer, computer specialist and other occupations with the next steps to
make it a reality. Teens tour places of higher education as well as technical
schools to help determine which track is best for them.
Power Hour – Most kids need help with their homework and a gentle nudge
to get it done. We set aside a “power hour” so kids can get help with homework
and tutoring, if needed. Older Club members often help younger members. By
making homework a priority and providing the appropriate tools of assistance,
our members learn to take responsibility for their educational outcomes.
Money matters – This program educates youth ages 13 to 18 in basic money
management skills, such as how to balance a checkbook, make good decisions about
spending, use credit wisely, budget for large purchases and save for college. The
Money Matters program was developed in a joint collaboration between Boys &
Girls Clubs of America and the Charles Schwab Foundation. The guide also
provides basic entrepreneurial information for teens interested in starting
businesses.
Project Learn
Project Learn reinforces and enhances the skills and knowledge young people
learn at school through "high-yield" learning activities at the Club and in the
home. This strategy demonstrates that fun, academically beneficial activities
increase academic performance. Activities include leisure reading, writing,
homework help and games such as Scrabble®, which develop youth's cognitive
skills. Project Learn emphasizes collaborations between Club staff, parents and
school personnel. Formally evaluated by Columbia University, Project Learn has
been proven to boost the academic performance of Club members.
CareerLaunch™
A cool website and emphasis on self-assessment gets kids ages 13-18 to start
thinking about their future career and how to obtain the education and training
needed to embark on their desired career path. A Career Launch
web site allows teens to take an interest survey, explore careers, identify
training or college requirements, investigate financial aid and chat with career
professionals. An easy-to-use career reference guide offers a broad range of
career planning ideas and job skills activities that teens can do under the
guidance of a Club staff member or volunteer. A Teen Tips booklet offers helpful
advice for job interviews and on-the-job problem solving.
Junior Staff: Cultivating Tomorrow's Club Professionals Today
Club members ages 13 to 18 interested in a career in youth or human services gravitate
toward this program. It also helps prepare youth for a professional
career at Boys & Girls Clubs. Young people participate in career development
activities and community service, learn how to develop good customer service
skills and complete a Club apprenticeship as they begin their journeys as human
service professionals. and improve decision-making skills.
Participants gain useful experience and/or training in how to chart their future
course of employment. They also learn how to deal with difficulties pertaining
to their jobs or job searches. Both programs foster leadership and interpersonal
skills, and instruct kids in handling conflict resolution, setting priorities
and overcoming obstacles to employment.
Job Ready! – Club members ages 14 to 17 learn the skills needed to enter the
work force and retain a job. Participants in the eight-week program learn the
basics:
- conduct research on where to find the best jobs
- fill out applications, prepare resumes and write cover letters
- develop interviewing skills
- hone interpersonal skills to communicate clearly and get along well with others
- meeting job expectations: dress appropriately, arrive on time, perform the
required work, and act in a respectful and helpful manner.
Student Aide Program – The Clubs employ youth with paid positions that provide
hands-on learning experiences and establish expectations for work under the
supervision of a Club associate who also serves as a mentor. Typically a young
person’s first job, these positions have a learning component that eases the way
to a job in a commercial venue, where mistakes aren’t as readily tolerated.
Modeling how good employees fulfill their roles fortifies the chances that
children will do well in jobs outside the Club. Teens who work as student aides
must maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher and complete the Job Ready! program.
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