Boys & Girls in Tennessee works to secure statewide funding and resources for local Clubs, helping them empower all young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens. Boys & Girls in Tennessee and the state’s local Clubs envision a future where Boys & Girls Clubs inspire every child to achieve success and encourage generations of kids to engage with their communities in meaningful ways.
Making a Difference for Kids in Tennessee.
The Need
Childcare
Lack of affordable childcare results in $2.6B million in annual lost earnings and revenue1
Of Tennessee children not currently enrolled in an out of school time program, 31% would be likely to participate if a program were available to them. This is more than 250,000 young people waiting for services.2
Education
Only 40% of Tennessee 3rd graders meet ELA proficiency benchmark on state testing3
Youth Mental Health
70% of kids rate their ability to cope with challenges as medium to very low4
Workforce Development
We need a thriving, capable workforce to continue to develop our region and country economically and culturally
The Impact of Boys & Girls Clubs in Tennessee
Childcare (OST Care)
- 31,959 registered members in 2023
- 8,200 daily attendance
- Open 245 days (more than 1,500 hours per year)
Academic Support
- Providing daily enrichment and small group intensive tutoring to promote academic proficiency
Youth Mental Health
- Preventive and intervention strategies and activities to ensure members develop positive self-image, relationships, and decision-making skill
Workforce Development
- Providing experiences for members to have hands-on career exploration and gain first-job skills
Results of Club Programming
98%
of seniors graduated in four years
77%
of seniors enrolled in a postsecondary program of study
95%
of youth surveyed say the adults in their club care about them
79%
of youth surveyed say the kids in the Club can count on each other
93%
of youth surveyed say the Club expects them to do their best
87%
of K – 3rd-grade members maintained or improved their benchmark status for early literacy skills as part of our Summer Enrichment Program
87%
of youth surveyed can identify a caring and stable adult they can talk to about their problems, a mitigating factor of childhood trauma or Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
306
high school members participated in paid internships and/or career exploration and training
Of all Tennessee’s children not currently enrolled in afterschool,
31% (263,754)
would be likely to participate IF an afterschool program were available in their community
18% (179,897)
of Tennessee’s K-12 children participate in afterschool programs, including 21,786 kids in programs supported by the U.S. Department of Education’s 21st Century Community Learning Centers initiative, the only federal program dedicated to afterschool
Sources:1Tennesseans for Quality Early Education, 2Tennessee Afterschool Network, 3TN department of Education 06/24, 4Boys & Girls Clubs of America