These programs help youth create aspirations for the future, providing opportunities for career exploration and educational enhancement.

Technology & Learning Centers
The Boys & Girls Clubs are investing in technology centers in response to the growing gap between those who have access to computer technology and those who do not. Our technology and learning centers provide low-income students with the latest educational software, tutoring and homework assistance that is helping them to improve their performance in school.

Supported by several foundations, the U.S. Department of Education and our Board of Directors, we have responded to the need for technology programming with an aggressive plan to update learning centers at all of our branches with new computers, hardware, software and training. Leading the way in this important investment in the future is Board member and co-founder of HNC Software, Todd Gutschow. Mr. Gutschow has provided seed funding enabling us to purchase new hardware and software at several branches. Building on Mr. Gutschow's leadership, we were awarded $165,000 in 2002 by the US Department of E ducation to develop Community Technology Centers at our Logan Heights and Encanto Clubs.


Project Learn
Although schools have the primary responsibility for children's formal education, families, communities and after-school programs have a profound impact on children's learning. Project Learn recognizes that these institutions have a collective responsibility to improve the academic development of children. Through Project Learn, the Boys & Girls Club enables youth to become high-achieving students by incorporating five major program components:

Homework Help and Tutoring - We offer homework help and tutoring five to six hours weekly. This enables Club members to develop the daily habit of completing homework and preparing for class in a safe, quiet, allocated space with staff and volunteer encouragement and assistance.

High-Yield Learning Activities - We encourage our members to make positive and productive choices about how they spend their leisure time at the Club. Each week we offer high-yield learning activities such as leisure reading, discussion groups, community service projects, and games to sharpen cognitive skills (e.g. chess, scrabble, monopoly and scrabble). The result is that the total Club becomes a learning center.

Parental Involvement - Unfortunately, not every parent has had positive experiences with schools. Thus, the Club needs to encourage a positive environment for parents. We encourage parents to support their children in school and at the Club. We also provide support to help them create a positive home environment that supports education.

Collaborations with Schools - When we work with schools, we are able to help our members develop competency in challenging subjects. Club staff members develop a relationship with each school represented at the Club to encourage communication between and among teachers, parents and Club professionals. This strengthens the "educational safety net" for Club members.

Incentives, Recognition and Goal-Setting - Members and staff use recognition and goal setting to plan achievement and improvement daily, weekly and monthly. As an incentive, we offer our members the opportunity to participate in special events and field trips when they improve their academic achievement levels.