# Boys & Girls Clubs in Tennessee

> Boys & Girls Clubs in Tennessee (BGC in TN) is the statewide organization that supports, advocates for, and secures resources for the 134 individual Club sites serving youth across the state of Tennessee.

## Purpose & Scope
Unlike individual local clubs, Boys & Girls Clubs in Tennessee operates as a State Alliance. It works with the Tennessee General Assembly and the Governor’s office to secure statewide funding and partnerships that empower local Clubs to reach their full potential.

- **Scale:** Supports 134 Club sites across Tennessee.
- **Impact:** Serves over 35,000 registered members statewide. Clubs are open 245 days each year (when schools are out, Clubs are in), providing critical child care for families.
- **Role:** Directs statewide advocacy, manages state-level grants (like 21st CCLC), and provides a unified voice for all Tennessee Clubs.

## Strategic Priority Areas
- **Academic Success:** Providing daily enrichment and small-group intensive tutoring to promote academic proficiency (focused on 3rd-grade ELA benchmarks).
- **Health & Wellness:** Implementing preventive and intervention strategies to ensure members develop positive self-image, relationships, and decision-making skills.
- **Workforce Readiness:** Offering hands-on career exploration and job-skill development to build a thriving, capable Tennessee workforce.
- **Sustainability:** Securing public-private partnerships and state investments to lower the cost of service for low-income families.

## Key Initiatives & Programs
- [Youth of the Year](https://bgctn.org/youth-of-the-year/): The premier recognition program for Club members, fostering leadership, service, and academic excellence.
- [Tennessee Tutoring Corps](https://bgctn.org/): A partnership initiative to combat learning loss through high-dosage tutoring.
- [Hall of Fame](https://bgctn.org/hall-of-fame/): Recognizing alumni and supporters who have made a significant impact on the state.
- [Day on the Hill](https://bgctn.org/changing-lives/): An annual advocacy event where Club leadership and youth meet with state legislators.

## Club Network
- [Find a Club](https://bgctn.org/clubs/): Directory of the various regional organizations across Tennessee, including Middle Tennessee, East Tennessee, and the Ocoee Region.
- [Impact Data](https://bgctn.org/changing-lives/): Statistics on how statewide funding directly correlates to increased membership and better outcomes for low-income youth.

## Leadership & Contact
- **Executive Director:** Bart McFadden (Interim Director)
- **Mailing Address:** 220 Carrick St, Suite 318, Knoxville, TN 37921
- **Website:** https://bgctn.org
- **Email:** info@bgctn.org