Search

Boys & Girls Clubs of King County 

Description

We seek to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens. With 14 full-service clubs and 23 child care sites, the organization is one of the largest Boys & Girls Clubs in the nation, with 16,000 members. Our nationally recognized programs and activities impact children in three essential ways: Academic Success, Good Character and Citizenship, and Healthy Lifestyles. For more information, visit www.positiveplace.org.

Mission Statement
The mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of King County (BGCKC) is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens.
Donate Now
Boys & Girls Clubs of King County
603 Stewart St Ste 300 
Seattle 
WA
98101-1289 
(206) 436-1800 

Calvin L. Lyons 
President/CEO 

Programs

Boys & Girls Clubs of King County Programs

Academic Success
BGCKC supports academic success by providing tutoring and homework help that leads to improved grades, lower high school drop out rates, and kids who see themselves as learners.
 
Good Character and Citizenship
BGCKC strives to help youth develop good character and citizenship by encouraging community service, providing positive alternatives to risky behavior, and instilling an attitude of engagement.

Healthy Lifestyles
BGCKC helps youth develop healthy lifestyles by teaching healthy behaviors that reduce drug use and childhood obesity, and working to help youth develop a positive self-image.

Recent Successes and Current Challenges

On February 12, 11 teens competed at Boys & Girls Clubs of King County’s 2013 Youth of the Year Awards Luncheon. All the nominees are exceptional teens who are a reflection of our extraordinary staff and volunteers. Congratulations to the 2013 Youth of the Year, Delannah Collins-Wright from the Joel E. Smilow Clubhouse & Teen Center at Rainier Vista! This well rounded scholar and student leader has been a member of the Rainier Vista Boys & Girls Club for nearly five years. Delannah, 16, is a junior at Cleveland High School.

“I used to be a C student, but the Club staff knew I could do better,” says Delannah. “They connected me with a tutor. I am extremely excited to now consistently be on the honor roll. I credit both SRV and my family for keeping me on track.”

Did you know that juvenile crime triples during after-school hours? Or that King County has 125+ gangs concentrated in the Rainier Valley, North Seattle, the Central District, Federal Way and Kirkland? More than 72,000 local teens do not join in organized activities after school.

Our kids need mentors and a safe place where they can rise above these obstacles. Thankfully, that place exists. It is Boys & Girls Clubs of King County. 

While the Boys & Girls Clubs keep the cost of joining low, we have pledged to never turn away a family for lack of funds. Last year, 4,000+ kids received a scholarship to waive all or part of their membership. And while the membership fee is only $36, it actually costs $500 to provide one child or teen a year of homework help, mentorship, activities and healthy snacks or even suppers.

How can we do it? Only with your support. We count on generous individuals like you to help keep the Club doors open to all kids in need—and to keep the cost of joining affordable for families in these tight economic times.

Evaluation


Boys & Girls Clubs of King County (BGCKC) serves more than 15,000 youth members through 14 Clubs in diverse communities throughout King County.

Proven Success
BGCKC offers a variety of programming, including Project Learn, which is a research-based education strategy that turns the fun activities at the Clubs into learning opportunities to help increase students’ academic success.

The organization is moving away from the stand-alone facility model in favor of placing new clubs on the grounds of schools and housing authorities. These partnerships help maximize building use, reduce transportation barriers for youth, and promote cross-sharing of resources.

Leadership
The leadership and board are strong, the organization’s CEO, Calvin L. Lyons, is formerly of Rainier Scholars and the Talaris Institute. BGCKC is also working to ensure the tailored academic support for students that is more prevalent at some of its centers is more consistently offered across all centers.

Best Practices
In order to attract teens who typically resist joining programs that serve younger children, Boys & Girls Clubs of King County creates designated, separate teen centers for older youth, with programming tailored to their interests (e.g., technology labs, music studios, job training programs).

Collaboration
BGCKC provides youth with internship and mentoring opportunities after recently acquiring the nonprofit, YouthForce.

Grant History with The Seattle Foundation:

Grants Awarded through The Seattle Foundation Grantmaking Program:

DateAmountPurpose
3/10/2008 $45,000.00support the capital campaign for the Rainier Vista Boys & Girls Club and Teen Center rebuild.
12/15/2005 $75,000.00support renovation of the Wallingford Club.
6/12/2003 $75,000.00support the construction of the Federal Way Teen Development Center at Truman High School.

Financials

Similar Organizations

Give broadly to Education
If boosting student achievement and aspirations, teaching skills for success in college and career, and increasing the quality of public schools is important to you, then make a difference by giving to the Grantmaking Program.
Questions or comments about this organization?
Contact us to learn more.