Since 1959, The Boys & Girls Club of Garfield, (the Club) has been dedicated to providing programs directed to the inspiration and enablement of the young people in our community. For more than half a century, the Club has successfully provided the safe, supervised environment needed to help our young people realize their full potential as caring, productive and responsible citizens. The Club is at the forefront of youth development; serving at risk young people from disadvantaged economic, social, and familial circumstances. Our service population consists primarily of multi-ethnic children in the elementary thru high school grade levels. The Club provides programs and services for over 1500 children ages 6 through 18 each year.
This is your opportunity to make a lasting difference in the life of a child. As an adult, you know having a dream gives you a sense of purpose for a lifetime. A child’s voice relays wisdom that resonates for generations. Our Boys & Girls Club helps our children by equipping them with the tools to succeed both academically and civically. “Great Futures Start Here,” and you can help make dreams a reality with a donation to the 2012 Annual Campaign.
At the Boys & Girls Club of Garfield, our purpose is to inspire and enable young people especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens.
The Boys & Girls Club of Garfield is part of a unified nationwide affiliation of more than 5,000 Clubs and provides after-school and summer programming to more than 1,500 children with an average daily attendance of over 400 members in two different locations. In addition, the Club provided outreach services to more than 2,000 children last year.
Economic statistics are somewhat alarming:
The Boys & Girls Club of Garfield works hard to meet the needs of its members by keeping fees affordable for the people we serve. The Club coordinates these efforts through foundations, grants, special events and donors, like you!
The City of Garfield is identified as one of 31 educational and economic “special needs” districts in the state of N.J. based on the following criteria, which identifies students deemed “at risk” who are in need of "an education beyond the norm." Studies show that young people have a higher probability of engaging in high risk behavior between the hours of 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Poor academic performance results from lack of supervision and attention to homework. Experimentation with substance abuse and exposure to gang violence are more likely during these hours. You can see this is why Boys & Girls Club programs are so important in our Garfield community.
Our local youth are positively impacted in our community by our services we provide. Our three Youth of the Year nominees spoke about how the Club changed their life in their recent interviews with the judges. One nominee stated
“the Club gave me the confidence to achieve things that I never thought I could achieve.” Another stated; “before I came to the Club I had failing grades and the last three years I have brought my grades up to a 3.0 and I will be attending College in the fall and I owe so much of the to the Boys & Girls Club of Garfield.”
A study just released by Prof. Jamshid Damooei of Damooei Global Research demonstrates how the social and economic benefits provided by New Jersey Boys & Girls Clubs translate into “tremendous economic value” for New Jersey Club members, their parents and their communities.
According to the report, “while it is easy to appreciate the work of the Clubs in qualitative and emotional or social terms, it requires additional analysis to understand the monetary and economic value of these institutions. At first glance, the Clubs can be praised for the social benefits that they create in the state. However, by digging deeper, it becomes readily apparent that these social benefits create tremendous economic value in New Jersey.
The study found that every dollar invested in Boys & Girls Clubs can generate 15 dollars of positive impact in the community, through improved safety and academic performance for children and teenagers, as well as increased parental income. For example:
The study identified several additional areas where Club participation has significant economic implications:
Health: More than 60% of registered Club members reported reaching or maintaining a healthy weight by participating in physical activities; and 62.4% of parents report that their children have made better food and drink choices since attending Boys & Girls Clubs.
Parental education: 20.4% of parents whose children attend the Clubs have been able to pursue further education or skills training.
“The economic impact report confirms that the essential investment Boys & Girls Clubs make, on a daily basis, in the future of our young people is really an investment in the future of our state,” said Al Koeppe, Chairman of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority.
The Boys & Girls Club of Garfield provides youth with fun, safe, interesting and relevant programming. Most importantly, the Club provides activities that build confidence and self-esteem. Every day, staff members at the Boys & Girls Club of Garfield help kids with their homework, reinforce learning concepts taught at school, and provide activities that are fun and educationally beneficial.
These programs exhibit great outcomes. Last year more than 200 members participated in the Club’s Power Hour program (homework assistance). Additionally, members participated in a literacy mentoring program to improve their reading abilities. The majority of our members participated in spelling and math activities, as well as computer literacy. These skill building activities increase members’ proficiency in many subject areas.
Most importantly, local teachers and school administrators whole-heartedly endorse and support the programs offered at the Club. Anna Sciacca, the Garfield Middle School principal states:
“The Boys and Girls Club offers an exemplary extended day program that is tailored to the interests of middle school students. The diverse selection of extracurricular activities and the tutoring component make it a perfect place for middle school kids to learn and have fun in a safe and nurturing environment.”
Educators believe in our programs because we positively impact the youth in our community.
Our membership and program fees are affordable so that all children can have access to our programs. Your financial investment helps us continue to welcome and inspire more and more children who need help each day. Your support enables us to be their home away from home. You help make dreams become reality for our children. Each dollar helps to build GREAT futures.
Your investment enables our caring, dedicated staff to forge strong relationships with young people and influence their ability to succeed in life - to make sure “GREAT Futures Start Here!”
Your dollars support the Boys & Girls Club of Garfield. Your dollars help build a brighter tomorrow for our children. Please consider making a charitable contribution which helps us ensure “Great Futures Start Here”
Donate here to help make "GREAT Futures Start Here."
For more than fifty years, the Boys & Girls Club of Garfield has been changing the lives of youth in and around the Garfield community. We are extremely proud of our achievements and how we have contributed to the success of individuals in all aspects of society. Our alumni have gone on to lead major corporations, become Professional athletes, internationally recognized lawyers and financial analysts, educators and leaders for our country – who knows one day our alumni may be walking the halls of Congress or even in the Oval Office.
Boys & Girls Club of Garfield volunteers and professionals know that all youth deserve access to the tools necessary to succeed in life. Our programs have always focused on giving youth a fun, safe, rich environment to develop the skills needed to achieve a great future. Over time, this has meant expanding from being a gym and swim Club – to now also providing state-of-the-art technology and learning centers to prepare members for the careers of tomorrow...
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Jasmine Cubuk is the 2013 Youth of the Year. Being named the Youth of the Year is the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member can recieve. Jasmine has been a member of the the Club for 3 years. She does not hesitate to serve the community by volunteering with several organizations throughout Garfield. Jasmine makes a commendable effort in lending a hand to friends and relatives in need. She is a stellar student who takes the time to enjoy her education and is proud to be part of the National Honor Society. "Jasmine is an outstanding lady who is exelling in school, is part of multiple teen leadership programs and is an amazing representative of the Boys & Girls Club of Garfield." said Paul Casey, CEO.
I thank the Club for all the great times that I had growing up and for instilling in me the same values that I pass on to my own children today. The Club was the place that I first learned to swing a bat, make a jump shot and catch a pass. The latter obviously made me who I was in my professional career. I made lifelong friends from my years at the club and am truly thankful to all the coaches and counselors that I met along the way. You learned a lot about the importance of relationships, you learned to trust the kids around you and to play the best for each other. Belonging to the Boys & Girls Club is a huge advantage because you learn more than just sports you learn about life.”
— Wayne Chrebet, NY Jets, Boys & Girls Club of Garfield Alumni
The Boys & Girls Club of Garfield is a place that supported me as a child and guided me into adolescence. I have fond memories of playing basketball in the gym, flag football in the winter and ping pong with my friends. The Club even provided me with my first job opportunity as a summer counselor. The community of Garfield and myself will be forever grateful for your positive work with youth.
— Miles Austin, Dallas Cowboys, Boys & Girls Club of Garfield Alumni
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Boys & Girls Club of Garfield