Boys and Girls Clubs of Metrowest, Inc.

Boys & Girls Clubs of MetroWest provides safe places, caring mentors and life-enhancing programs that prepare kids and teens for great futures. Every young person deserves to be well prepared for life after school. We do "whatever it takes." This is our mantra, our promise, our commitment, as we help kids become their best selves on their paths to great futures. Focusing on key areas, we create safe places, provide caring mentorship, support youth mental health needs, and bridge the workforce readiness gap. As a facility-based organization, youth have access to a broad range of intentional learning activities on a daily basis. BGCMW positively impacts 3,200 youth annually from the moment they enter the door until they leave at night, every day.

Rooted in the five key elements of youth development, programs offer a safe place for youth that is fun, engaging and enhances life skills. The Clubs also provide youth with supportive relationships with adults that instill opportunities and expectations, as well as providing recognition for members' abilities to succeed. The programs offered at the Club engage, inspire, and empower kids and teens of all ages and interests. Innovative programs offered in the Club are designed to empower youth to excel in school, become good citizens and lead healthy, productive lives. Programs range from sports and recreation, education, the arts, health and wellness, workforce readiness, and character and leadership.

BGCMW believes that every kid has it what it takes. The mission and core beliefs of BGCMW fuel our commitment to promoting safe, positive and inclusive environments for all. BGCMW supports all youth and teens - of every race, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, ability, socio-economic status, and religion - in reaching their full potential. Programs offered during the school year are available to youth for only $25 per year, per member. All programs are accessible to youth, regardless of their family's financial situation. More than 60% of the youth who attend the Club live in under-resourced communities and are experiencing financial disadvantages, food insecurity, or other economic barriers. Additionally, more than 55% of the youth live at home with a single-parent.

Boys & Girls Clubs of MetroWest implements the programmatic strategy of every member, every year. The programs offered in the Clubs are centered around academic success and achievement, character and leadership, and healthy lifestyles. Programs are available for youth ages 6 through 18. As youth get older it is important to recognize that teens are not simply "older children" - they have reached a developmental stage that requires a different strategic approach to recruitment, retention, staff interaction, use of space and programming.

Academic Success & Achievement
The focus of the academic success and achievement pillar is to ensure that all Club members graduate from high school on time, ready for a post-secondary education and a 21st-century career. Because no single program or activity can accomplish this ambiguous vision for education, Boys & Girls Clubs of MetroWest implements Project Learn - a holistic strategy to ensure every moment, every staff member, and every space in the Club supports Academic Success.


Character & Leadership
Helping youth become responsible, caring citizens and acquire skills for participating in adulthood is the main thrust of the character and leadership programs. These programs develop leadership skills and provide opportunities for planning, decision-making, contributing to Club and community. Some of the core programs in this area include Torch and Keystone Clubs, and the Youth of the Year program.

Healthy Lifestyles
The final pillar, healthy lifestyles, helps to develop young people's capacity to engage in positive behaviors that nurture their own well-being, set personal goals, and live successfully as self-sufficient adults. Programs include SMART Moves, SMART Girls, ManCave, Triple Play, and Healthy Habits. Additional sports and fitness programs help to develop fitness, a positive use of leisure time, reduction of stress, appreciation for the environment, and social and interpersonal skills.

BGCMW has providing services to youth and their families for 80 years. Chris Duane, President & CEO, has been with the organization for 30 years and continues to be instrumental in helping to grow our organization from a small one Clubhouse operation to a $3.8 million organization that serves more than 3,200 youth annually. Working alongside Chris is Laura Terzigni, Vice President. Laura oversees all fundraising efforts, as well as supporting Chris in managing the Senior Management Team Maryann LeBlanc, Director of Finance and Barbara Tolland, Director of Operations.

Across the three Clubhouses, BGCMW employees more than 100 staff members. Each Club is run by a Club Director and two full time staff members. Our program staff members are highly trained, many with college degrees and master level competencies. The Club itself is governed by an 18-member Board of Directors. The Clubs organizational advancement strategy is monitored by a 7-member Resource Development committee. BGCMW is a regional organization with a centrally located management team, which allows for efficient and effective administration to all three of the communities we serve.

The ultimate goal is to provide high-quality out-of-school programming that sets youth up for success in their futures. The Club programs strive to provide youth ages 6-18 with:
- Safe, dynamic, structured, and unstructured programs for all youth;
- A stimulating alternative for traditional childcare during out-of-school time;
- Real-life educational, environmental, cultural, and recreational experiences;
- Increased self-confidence, cooperation, and appreciation of differences amongst youth within our communities;
- Tangible steps towards each youth member's great future.