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To enable and inspire all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.
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Our yearly budget is $1,200,000
What the numbers do not show are the lives affected daily by caring staff who make an impact on the kids we serve. A hug, a smile, a high five all contribute to a positive experience for our members after school. Whether they are in the homework room, the reading room, the computer lab, the gym, or games room, they are being attended to by positive role models.
Numbers will not reflect the impact upon them today, but numbers will reflect the impact upon their futures as they graduate high school, go to work or seek higher education.
A top priority in all Clubs is to help members succeed in school and apply their education and skills to their daily lives.
Activities that are educational and engaging enable youth to:
Every child is engaged in homework help, individual tutoring, and have access to Learning Through Sports, a TAKS based computer program.
A financial literacy program designed to help kids make a budget, begin a savings account, and understand how businesses work and the power of the dollar.
The first step in the SMART programs where kids are given their first exposure to making good decisions about avoiding drugs, alcohol, tobacco, sex, gangs, bullying while emphasizing the need to stay in school, maintain/improve grades, and plan for the future.
The next step in the SMART programs where kids become peer leaders and help in the teaching and applications of SMART Moves. Applications go more into depth.
Computer labs filled with great software to help members excel in technology and in school. Every computer has Microsoft Student, Encarta, Learning Through Sports, and Microsoft Office. PaPoW tournaments are held every year so members can demonstrate their skills in Power Point, Word, Excel, as well as show their prowess around the inside of a computer through hardware identification and placement.
Youth who are engaged in arts programs do better in school and in their personal lives. Participation in the Arts promotes:
We work to enable youth to develop their creativity and cultural awareness through knowledge and appreciation of the visual arts, crafts, performing arts and creative writing.
Our goal is to allow our youth to develop decision-making skills. This empowers our members to:
Designed to promote and recognize service to the Club and community, academic performance, and contributions to family and spiritual life. The “Youth of the Year” winner receives a certificate, medallion, and recognition, then goes on to regional competition, and if they win there will go on to compete in state and then national competition.
Builders Clubs are a collaborative effort between the Boys & Girls Club of the Big Country and the Kiwanis Club of Abilene and the Kiwanis Club of Greater Abilene. Kids between the ages of 10-14 can join and are given guidance on running their own meeting, planning their own community service activities, and have opportunities to lead their Club in activities.
SMART Moves and SMART Leaders are proven curriculums that help kids make good decisions concerning avoiding drugs, alcohol, gangs, tobacco, sex, and bullying while emphasizing staying in school, maintaining and improving grades, and using conflict resolution tools.
These Key characteristics define the essence of a Boys & Girls Club. We believe these are critical in exerting a positive impact on a child’s life:
Our clubs are a place – an actual neighborhood-based building – designed solely for youth programs and activities.
We want every child to succeed in school, in their community, and in life! Great programming, wonderful role models, caring staff, and a dedication to making an impact in every child’s life are a foundation for their success!
The most dangerous time of the day for kids is between the hours of 3-8 p.m. We offer a safe and fun place for them to be during those hours.
Kids who attend good after school programs at least 3 times a week graduate at a 67% higher rate than kids who don’t attend.
Parents/guardians have to work hard to provide and need an affordable, reliable, and proven option for their children. We have the most affordable membership in town and provide financial help to families who are experiencing extreme financial challenges.
Many of the youth we serve have one or more family members incarcerated. We provide support, positive role models, and proven programming that helps kids make good decisions are just some of the benefits our kids get from the Club!
