The Mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Schenectady is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. From our mission to practices and programs, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Schenectady still makes it possible to open up a world of opportunities to youth for at $5.00 ($10.00 in Rotterdam with the
swimming pool!) per year. We are the largest agency provider of services to youths from disadvantaged circumstances in Schenectady County serving over 3,000 members while reaching over 7,000 youth in 2010. The New York State KIDS COUNT Data Book classifies 8 of 14 census tracts in the City of Schenectady as distressed or severely distressed. Four of our six clubhouses are in areas classified as distressed or severely distressed. We offer a broad range of programs in five core areas: Education & Career Development, Character & Leadership Development, Health & Life Skills, The Arts and Sports, Fitness & Recreation. Diverse program activities allow youth to choose programs of interest to them on a daily basis. Activities are generally carried out in three basic approaches: individual, small group (structured) and large group (drop-in or unstructured). Every effort is made to establish trusting relationships with young people. We provide youth with support and encouragement to reach their full potential. Club activities will increase youth’s cognitive skills such as analytical thinking and decision-making, develop social and emotional maturity and enhance physical skills and self-expression. We serve youths ages 6 to 18 in our five clubhouses at Craig Street, Mont Pleasant, Rotterdam, Steinmetz Homes and Yates Village. Other programs include Job Junction, after-school programs at Oneida, Mont Pleasant and Central Park Middle Schools and three elementary schools, Pleasant Valley, Woodlawn and Martin Luther King. We are currently partnering with Schenectady High School on a TEAM mentoring program as part of the Department of Labor grant. We will be matching 160 high school students with mentors by the end of 2012. Our summer programs include Camp Lovejoy, Quackenbush Park, Summer Program at the Rotterdam Club (SPARC), the summer component of the Safe Schools Healthy Habits grant for elementary students in the Schenectady City School District and a Career Exploration Workshop for all students in Summer Youth Employment at Schenectady County Community College. This summer we will also be operating programs at Hillhurst Park and Steinmetz Park. Among our tested and effective programs are SMART Moves (drug, alcohol and pregnancy prevention), Street SMART (gang prevention), SMART Girls (health and self-esteem enhancement for girls 8-17), Passport to Manhood (responsible decision-making for teen boys), Career Launch (job readiness and vocational exploration), Project Learn (academic achievement), Money Matters (financial literacy), Triple Play (health and fitness), Youth for Unity and Virtues Initiation Program (character education). The Boys & Girls Clubs of Schenectady maintains an impressive record of program results and has consistently and successfully initiated and completed many partnerships and collaborative agreements with public and private organizations. These partnerships facilitate the implementation of innovative and diversified programs that serve both the youth and the community. Programs and staff members have received local, regional and national awards and recognition.
