Boys And Girls Club Of Greater Milwaukee Inc

BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF GREATER MILWAUKEE WAS FOUNDED IN 1887 BY ANNABELL COOK WHITCOMB AND WAS NAMED THE BOYS BUSY LIFE CLUB IN 1900. IN 1984, MEMBERSHIP WAS EXTENDED TO GIRLS AND THE ORGANIZATION BECAME BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS, MAKING MILWAUKEE ONE OF THE FIRST CLUB NETWORKS TO DO SO. TODAY, BGCGM HAS 45 SITES INCLUDING CAMP WHITCOMB/MASON IN HARTLAND, WI AND SERVES NEARLY 630 YOUTH DAILY BY PROVIDING MEALS, SAFE SPACES, ACCESS TO ROLE MODELS AND MUCH MORE.BGCGM'S MISSION IS TO INSPIRE AND EMPOWER ALL YOUNG PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT NEED US MOST, TO REALIZE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL AS PRODUCTIVE, CARING, RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS. CLUB MEMBERS RECEIVE PROGRAMMING IN SIX CORE AREAS: EDUCATION, ARTS, SPORTS & RECREATION, HEALTH & WELLNESS, LEADERSHIP & SERVICE, AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT. EACH AREA IS DRIVEN BY RESEARCH FROM BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF AMERICA AND THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION IN ORDER TO PROVIDE OUR CLUB MEMBERS WITH THE OPTIMAL CLUB EXPERIENCE.

CLUB MEMBERS RECEIVE PROGRAMMING IN SIX CORE AREAS: EDUCATION, ARTS, SPORTS & RECREATION, HEALTH & WELLNESS, LEADERSHIP & SERVICE, AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT. EACH AREA IS DRIVEN BY RESEARCH FROM BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF AMERICA AND THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION IN ORDER TO PROVIDE OUR CLUB MEMBERS WITH THE OPTIMAL CLUB EXPERIENCE.EDUCATIONEVERY CHILD HAS THE RIGHT TO AN EDUCATION. EDUCATION HAS A DIRECT IMPACT ON THE QUALITY OF A PERSON'S LIFE, AND BY EXTENSION, THE IMPACT ON THE QUALITY OF THE COMMUNITY IN WHICH THEY LIVE. EDUCATION PROVIDES YOUTH WITH THE FOUNDATIONAL SKILLS NECESSARY TO TRANSFORM THEIR LIVES AND GAIN NEW OPPORTUNITIES. IN MILWAUKEE TODAY, WHEN THE POVERTY RATE IS NEARLY 40%, MANY CHILDREN LACK ACCESS TO QUALITY EDUCATION OR NECESSARY ACADEMIC SUPPORT, WHICH CAUSES MANY TO FALL BEHIND ACADEMICALLY. BGCGM'S MARVAN SCHOLARS PROGRAM PROVIDES ACADEMIC SUPPORT AFTER SCHOOL AT THE CLUBS THROUGH THE USE OF AN INSTRUCTIONAL SOFTWARE THAT ALLOWS EACH STUDENT TO WORK AT THEIR OWN PACE. STAFF MONITOR THEIR PROGRESS AND ADJUST ACADEMIC SUPPORT ACCORDINGLY. MARVAN SCHOLARS REFLECTS THE CLUBS' STRATEGIC EFFORTS TO HELP OUR MEMBERS WORK TOWARD PROFICIENCY IN MATH AND READING. IN 2020, THE PROGRAM SERVED 927 STUDENTS. SPARK EARLY LITERACY PROGRAMMING SERVED 260 MEMBERS. THE MILWAUKEE PARTNERSHIP SCHOOLS PROGRAM IS AN INNOVATIVE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS, MILWAUKEE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND CITY YEAR MILWAUKEE. THIS INITIATIVE IS PROVIDING NECESSARY SUPPORT TO FOUR MPS SCHOOLS: ALEXANDER MITCHELL INTEGRATED ARTS SCHOOL (K-8TH GRADE), ROGERS STREET ACADEMY (K-8TH GRADE), GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER ACADEMY (K-8TH GRADE), AND CLARKE STREET ELEMENTARY. THROUGH THIS COLLABORATIVE EFFORT, BGCGM HAS ADDED AND ALIGNED SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS IN MATH, READING, ATTENDANCE, AND SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING DURING THE SCHOOL DAY AND AFTER-SCHOOL THROUGH SMALL GROUP AND ONE-ON-ONE INTERVENTIONS.SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS (STEM) ARE ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE FOR TODAY'S YOUTH TO BUILD IN ORDER TO BE SUCCESSFUL. IN A WORLD GROWING INCREASINGLY MORE DEPENDENT ON STEM RELATED JOBS, TEACHERS BOTH IN AND OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ADEQUATELY PREPARING YOUTH FOR SUCCESS IN STEM RELATED FIELDS. BGCGM'S GOAL IS TO EXPOSE YOUNG PEOPLE TO HANDS-ON STEM ACTIVITIES AND CAREERS.FIRST LEGO LEAGUE (FLL) IS A ROBOTICS COMPETITION FOR ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS AND IS PART OF AN ORGANIZATION CALLED FIRST (FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY). THE GOAL OF THE FLL COMPETITION IS TO INSPIRE STUDENTS TO CONTINUE WITH SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATH (STEM) THROUGHOUT THEIR LIFETIME AND TO ENCOURAGE PARENTS AND EDUCATORS TO BE INVOLVED IN THE FIRST AND STEM COMMUNITIES. IN 2020, OVER 81 KIDS PARTICIPATED IN FIRST LEGO LEAGUE.GRADUATION PLUS-THE CLUBS' COLLECTION OF COLLEGE ACCESS AND SUCCESS PROGRAMS--PROVIDES STUDENTS WITH ACADEMIC SUPPORT SERVICES, TUTORING, ACT PREP, COLLEGE TOURS, COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS, CAREER READINESS & EXPLORATION TRAINING, ACADEMIC ADVISING, FINANCIAL LITERACY TRAINING, ASSISTANCE WITH COLLEGE APPLICATIONS, LEADERSHIP LESSONS AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT. GRAD PLUS PROGRAMS INCLUDE: THE BMO SCHOLARS, FUTURE COLLEGE SCHOLARS, SOREF SCHOLARS, SPONSOR-A-SCHOLAR, AND STEIN SCHOLARS. IN 2020, MORE THAN 800 MEMBERS (HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE STUDENTS) PARTICIPATED IN GRAD PLUS. THE PROGRAM HAS 100% HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION RATE AND HAS GRADUATED CLOSE TO 490 COLLEGE UNDERGRADUATES SINCE ITS INCEPTION. THE PROGRAM ALSO FACILITATES AGENCY SCHOLARSHIPS.BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS' CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS HELP MILWAUKEE YOUTH LEARN THE SKILLS THEY NEED TO SUCCEED IN THE WORKPLACE. THROUGH CLUB PROGRAMS, MEMBERS ARE INTRODUCED TO A VARIETY OF WORK ENVIRONMENTS AND GUEST SPEAKERS, WORKSITE TOURS, AND HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE AS WELL AS CAREER AND FINANCIAL PLANNING ASSISTANCE. IN 2020, THROUGH CAREER LAUNCH 736 MEMBERS EXPLORED CAREERS AND DEVELOPED WORK SKILLS THROUGH THE CAREER LAUNCH PROGRAM, 299 MEMBERS LEARNED MONEY MANAGEMENT, BUDGETING AND FINANCIAL GOALS AND 552 MEMBERS EXPLORED CAREERS IN YOUTH OR HUMAN SERVICES IN PREPARATION TO WORK AT THE CLUBS AS JUNIOR STAFF.ARTSEVERY YOUTH THAT PICKS UP A PEN OR PAINTBRUSH TO WORK THROUGH DIFFICULT TIMES, OR EXPRESS A FEELING OF JOY, IS ON THE WAY TO BECOMING A MORE PRODUCTIVE ADULT. BGCGM'S ART PROGRAMS INTENTIONALLY USE ART AS A TOOL TO SUPPORT THE VOICES OF YOUTH AND PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR SOCIAL CHANGE. IN OUR OWN COMMUNITY, THE CLUBS ARE COMMITTED TO ADDRESSING THE SHORTFALL IN ARTISTIC OPPORTUNITY BY PROVIDING YOUTH WITH A VARIETY OF ARTS ACTIVITIES, FIELD TRIPS, HIGH-QUALITY PROGRAMS AS WELL AS FURTHER PROFESSIONAL AND CAREER-BUILDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH WHO DEMONSTRATE INTEREST AND TALENT. SPORTS & RECREATION ALL CHILDREN DESERVE ACCESS TO PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES THAT PROMOTE HEALTHY HABITS AND LIFESTYLES. OFTENTIMES CERTAIN BARRIERS SUCH AS A LACK OF TRANSPORTATION OR THE INABILITY TO PAY, PREVENT YOUTH LIVING IN LOW-INCOME ENVIRONMENTS FROM ACCESSING SPORTS & RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES. BGCGM'S SPORTS & RECREATION PROGRAMS ALLOW MEMBERS TO PARTICIPATE IN ORGANIZED LEAGUES UNDER THE DIRECTION OF PROFESSIONAL COACHES AT LITTLE TO NO COST. IN 2020, MORE THAN 12,000 MEMBERS PARTICIPATED IN SPORTS, RECREATION, AND HEALTH & WELLNESS PROGRAMMING. MORE THAN 3,681 CLUB MEMBERS PARTICIPATED IN ORGANIZED AND COMPETITIVE SPORTS LEAGUES, INCLUDING BASEBALL (63 MEMBERS), BASKETBALL (1,961 MEMBERS), FOOTBALL (0 MEMBERS). SOCCER, VOLLEYBALL, CHEER AND OTHER SPORTS ACTIVITIES WERE ALSO OFFERED. LEADERSHIP & SERVICELEADERSHIP AND SERVICE PROGRAMS HELP YOUTH BECOME RESPONSIBLE, CARING CITIZENS AND ACQUIRE SKILLS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS. PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS ALSO DEVELOP LEADERSHIP SKILLS AND GAIN OPPORTUNITIES FOR PLANNING, DECISION-MAKING, CONTRIBUTING TO THEIR CLUB AND COMMUNITY AND CELEBRATING OUR NATIONAL HERITAGE. THE PROGRAMS OFFERED TO YOUTH IN OUR CLUBS ENCOURAGE THEM TO TAKE ON LEADERSHIP ROLES, LEARN ABOUT FUNDRAISING AND PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY SERVICE.IN 2020, HUNDREDS OF MEMBERS PARTICIPATED IN LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS, SUCH AS GIRLS (105 MEMBERS), KEYSTONE (613 MEMBERS), TORCH CLUB (929 MEMBERS) AND SOME ENTERED THE STATEWIDE YOUTH OF THE YEAR COMPETITION TO CELEBRATE THEIR SUCCESSES. SOCIAL & EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENTAFTER DECADES OF RESEARCH AND PASSIONATE DEBATE AROUND THE FOUNDATIONS OF HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT, HEALING, AND LEARNING, YOUTH-SERVING ORGANIZATIONS AND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS ACROSS THE NATION ARE NOW EMBRACING THIS MOVEMENT DECLARING THAT THE SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING OF YOUTH IS THE FOUNDATION OF OUR WORK.INSPIRE H.O.P.E. PROVIDES TRAINING AND COACHING TO HELP BUILD SAFE, SUPPORTIVE, AND TRAUMA-SENSITIVE ENVIRONMENTS FOUNDATIONAL TO ENSURING THAT TODAY'S YOUTH, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO NEED US THE MOST, REALIZE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL AND ACHIEVE A GREAT FUTURE.IN 2020, THE INSPIRE HOPE TEAM REACHED APPROXIMATELY 500 STAFF THROUGH TRAINING, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, AND COACHING. APPROXIMATELY 411 YOUTH WERE DIRECTLY SERVED BY INSPIRE HOPE AMERICORPS MEMBERS.CAMPSURROUNDED BY 300 ACRES OF ROLLING HILLS, FOREST, AND THE SHORES OF LAKE KEESUS, BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS' CAMP WHITCOMB/MASON IN HARTLAND, WISCONSIN PROVIDES CAMPERS WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN ABOUT NATURE AND OUTDOOR RECREATION WHILE DEVELOPING LEADERSHIP SKILLS, SELF-WORTH, AND RESPECT FOR THEMSELVES AND OTHERS. CAMP WHITCOMB/MASON OFFERS DAY CAMPS AND OVERNIGHT CAMPS. IN 2020, OVER 5,000 MEMBERS PARTICIPATED IN CAMP WHITCOMB/MASON PROGRAMMING INCLUDING RESIDENT CAMPS, DAY CAMPS, FIELD TRIPS, SPECIAL CAMPOUT OPPORTUNITIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AT THEIR CLUB SITE.