Boys and Girls Clubs of Metrowest, Inc.

As one of the largest Boys & Girls Clubs in Massachusetts, we serve more than 6,200 youth every year from the communities of Framingham, Hudson, and Marlborough. We offer a wide variety of out-of-school programming including education and technology, prevention, social, athletic, and recreation programs for only $25 per year, per child. In addition, we run the most affordable eight-week summer program in the area. We will never turn a child away because of their inability to pay.

The Club offers young people what they need and want most – adults who respect and listen to them; a safe environment where members can have fun and be themselves, constructive activities that channel youthful energy into challenging pursuits. A youth development strategy that fosters a sense of belonging, competence, usefulness, and influence underlies all Boys & Girls Clubs programs and builds self-confidence.

BGCMW offers programming in five core areas: character and leadership, education and career, health and life skills, the arts, and sports, fitness and recreation. Our programming runs every day after-school from 2:30 PM - 9 PM and during eight weeks of the summer.

Character and Leadership: The following programs help youth to become responsible caring citizens, to develop leadership skills, and to engage in decision making, planning and contributing the Club and community:
- Keystone Clubs: Keystone Clubs are small group leadership development clubs for kids ages 14-18 that are chartered at each individual Club location.
- Torch Clubs: A small group leadership development program that is designed to help meet the special character development needs of youth ages 11-13 at a critical stage in their development.
- Youth of the Year: A premier youth recognition program for members that celebrates service to the Club and community; academic performance; moral character; life goals; poise and public speaking ability.

Education and Career: Programs like the following help youth create aspirations for the future, providing opportunities for career exploration and educational enhancement.
- Project Learn: A comprehensive strategy that reinforces what youth learn in school by integrating high yield learning activities throughout the Club.
- Money Matters: Helps youth expand their knowledge of money management and learn the skills that lead to financial independence and well-being.
- Power Hour: A comprehensive homework help and tutoring program designed to raise the academic proficiency of Club members ages 6-18.
- CareerLaunch: A career exploration and mentoring program for teens ages 13-18, this program allows teens to explore careers, identify training or college requirements, and seek out financial aid.
- Club Tech: Provides programming, training, and resources to make youth effective users of technology. This includes recognizing members for their creative abilities through digital arts.

Health and Life Skills: These programs are run with staff and often in collaboration with local professional partners.
- SMART Moves: The SMART Moves program (Skills Mastery and Resistance Training) are prevention programs designed to build decision-making and critical-thinking skills, as well as how to avoid and/or resist risky behavior.
- SMART Girls: A health, fitness, prevention/education and self-esteem enhancement program for girls ages 10-15.
- Passport to Manhood:This program promotes and teaches responsibility while reinforcing positive behavior in male Club members ages 11-14.

Sports, Fitness & Recreation: Programs in this area develop fitness, positive use of leisure time, skills for stress management, appreciation for the environment & social skills.
- Triple Play: This is a comprehensive health and wellness initiative that focuses on improving the overall health of youth by increasing their daily physical activity and teaching them good nutrition

BGCMW is governed by a 18-member Board of Directors and receives guidance from a 20-member Board of Governors. We have a 4-member Senior Management Team, 3 Club Directors, and 9 other full-time staff members that run the operations of the organization. We have fifty-five part-time staff members who conduct our programming. In addition to our paid staff members, we work with hundreds of volunteers a year. These volunteers come from our corporate partners, community relationships, and individual supporters. This diverse group of volunteers support our organization through professional in-kind support, interacting with the kids through educational activities, and helping to make our spaces as inviting as possible.

In 2019, we celebrated our 75th Anniversary of serving the youth of the MetroWest region. We have impacted a number of youth and their families, and we are constantly evaluating our programs to ensure that we are still meeting the needs of those we serve. We are proud of how we overcame the challenges that 2020 threw at us. Last year, we focused on serving youth in the way that they need us most by addressing mental health needs, overcoming trauma, and reestablishing their "norm." For 2022, we will focusing on reestablishing normal Club culture.