Virtual Club
Back to School: Redefining Opportunity
- September 18, 2016
- Posted by: Andrew Cunningham
- Category: Happenings

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Cruz County is joining Boys & Girls Clubs nationwide to redefine the opportunity equation for kids by elevating the critical role out-of-school time plays in a child’s development. Through the Great Futures Campaign, BGCSCC seeks to ensure that every child and teen has access to a safe place after school and during the summer where they can build the knowledge, skills and behaviors to put them on the path for success.
Every day, 15 million kids nationwide leave school with no place to go, putting them at risk of being unsupervised, unguided and unsafe. During the summer, an alarming 43 million 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.
“With schools in full swing, Boys & Girls Clubs wants to ensure out-of-school is part of the conversation. We’re taking a leadership role in our community to elevate the impact of out-of-school time, a critical, yet often overlooked, part of their day,” said Bob Langseth, Executive Director of BGCSCC. “When school is out, no child should go unsafe or unguided. Through the Campaign, we are advocating on behalf of kids and convening 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 22nd among 28 countries
- Three out of 10 kids are obese or overweight
- One in 5 American kids live in poverty
Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Cruz County has been serving the community with afterschool and summer programs for 47 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 James Dyer, President of the BGCSCC Board of Directors. “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 community and country.”
Boys & Girls Clubs reach kids most in need with outcome-driven programs designed to increase their performance in the areas of education, health and character development. 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 Clubsfor 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 21st 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.