Local Boys and Girls Clubs work to give North Bay youth the tools for success.
The Boys and Girls Clubs traces its roots back to 1860 in Hartford, Conn. where it was originally founded as The Good Will Club. Established with the belief that boys who roamed the streets should be given a positive alternative, a cause was born. The idea quickly spread to different areas of the country and other clubs began to appear. The Boys Club of New York was the first to use “Boys Club” in its official title, in 1876.
In 1906, the existing 50 clubs joined together to form a national organization known as Boys Clubs of America.
In 1956, Boys Clubs of America celebrated its 50th anniversary, and President Eisenhower gave the national organization a Congressional Charter, an honor bestowed on only a few nonprofit organizations in the history of the country.
By this time, the organization had reached the North Bay, with the Petaluma club being the first to form, in 1949. Girls began to be admitted into the clubs in the 1960s, and the organization officially changed its name to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America in 1990.
From the start, the clubs has worked to emphasize the importance of character development, attracting potential members and capturing their interest with various activities. The organization hopes to improve children’s behavior and motivate them towards their personal goals.
The clubs reaches into every area concerned with children’s well-being, including character and leadership (its foundational cornerstones) education and career, health and life skills, the arts, sports, fitness and recreation, as well as other specialized programs. Overall, child safety is a top priority. The clubs are a safe haven to those who need it, and the organization works to provide a secure experience for its members, many of whom could be categorized as at-risk.
Nonprofit organizations such as these are able to make a forceful impact in their communities when given the opportunity to work together with local businesses. It’s a partnership that’s quickly felt by everyone involved.
Looking forward
For Robert Marcus, CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Marin and Southern Sonoma Counties (which includes 13 clubs in total, from Marin City north to Petaluma) the organization has always been about looking forward, offering members guidance through youth programs. “We want all children to reach their potential,” he says. “We focus on character and leadership development and encouraging kids to lead productive lives.” The organization strives to make sure kids are not only eating right and participating, but also that they’re learning to be engaged citizens.
For Marcus, the clubs’ long-term goal is to help kids achieve academic success and ultimately, high school graduation. He doesn’t forget however, all the little details that are instrumental in reaching that larger goal. “From an academic success perspective, it becomes about attendance and grade progression,” he says. To help kids keep school at the forefront of their minds, the organization pays special attention to how they’re coping. “We measure their thoughts and feelings by talking to them and watching how they interact with others,” says Marcus.
Part of helping keep kids lives balanced and healthy, Marcus admits, comes from knowing the proper preventive measures and how to address potentially harmful influences. The organization checks in with the kids by chatting with them on a regular basis, Marcus explains, to see what habits might be forming: “Are they engaged in delinquent behavior?” he asks. “What’s their behavior and attitude about drugs and alcohol? Do they engage in premarital sex?” The organization always has to be on the lookout to help members achieve their most stable future possible.
One of the best ways the organization helps keep kids on the right path is teaching them to be active in their community. “We look at their service hours and see how often they volunteer,” says Marcus. Giving kids such a positive outlet lets every milestone be more easily completed. “We have our long-term goals,” he summarizes, “and we want to make sure we reach them. We’re a local-to-local business community. We partner with multiple businesses in the North Bay for funding support and volunteer hours to help us execute our mission.”
Marcus says the organization is always looking for corporate sponsors. He lists local businesses that have already become involved in the program, such as Marin Luxury Cars, Lace House Linen and W. Bradley Electric, among others. “It costs $500 per kid annually in the program,” he reveals. The organization also welcomes help with facility support and athletic opportunities. “You can sponsor a kid to play on a sports team or go to summer camps,” he says.
The organization will host a crab feed this month in Mill Valley, as well as a golf tournament during the summer in Petaluma. But it isn’t only financial support that’s necessary for the club’s continued operation. Volunteering plays a crucial role in helping kids find a positive example to emulate early on. “If you want to mentor, coach or read to kids, we’re always interested. There are so many ways to get involved,” he says.
Some of his organization’s major accomplishments have been the recent expansions into San Rafael, Marin City and Petaluma. This gives the program an even larger reach and the ability to help more kids in need. In addition, the organization has founded an athletic program in Petaluma and a truancy prevention program in Mill Valley. “We’ve partnered with the Sheriff’s Department in Marin County, which has really helped discourage our youth from gang behavior,” says Marcus. “We also partner with the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department for prevention programming in Petaluma.”
After school support
The Boys and Girls Clubs of Napa Valley was established in 1956, shortly after the Marin County clubs. It functions primarily as an after school program, opening when school lets out and hosting an average 1,200 children per day at 11 locations in the valley.
CEO Mark Kuhnhausen possesses a razor sharp focus in regards to the program which is currently in the middle of a $4.6 million capital campaign to replace a clubhouse. Another current target is teenagers: “We really want to expand our teen programming,” he says. “We want more teens, more often.” He also wants to expose the kids up to the possibilities of careers in technology, with STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) programming.
Like Marcus, Kuhnhausen acknowledges that support from the community is critical. “Businesses get that, when they contribute [to support youth] the community does better,” he says. “It’s good for business and good for overall morale. We want our community to be a great place,” he says. And when the kids get opportunities to have help with their homework and are surrounded by mentors, “They’re learning about character leadership,” says Kuhnhausen. “And that there’s a safe place for them.”
Many places seemed to have recognized the gains that are made when help is offered at an early age. Kuhnhausen has seen businesses come in and host work parties and fund-raising events especially for the club. Some businesses even deliver snacks for the kids. “ZD Wines has essentially adopted the teen center,” Kuhnhausen says. “The family and the team are invested. They’re like extended family to us.”
The organization also has a multitude of events that help with fund-raising. In addition to an annual crab feed and a silent auction, there’s a gala in May. Events like these often bring more than 25 different businesses together with the kids. Kuhnhausen makes sure anyone who wants to be involved can be. “If you have a talent or interest you want to share, our programming is unlimited,” he says, adding that no contribution is considered too small. “If someone has a talent and time,” Kunhausen says, “we’re all ears.”
Any influence that could pique a child’s interest in a positive fashion is seen as welcome. “We’ve had magicians and guitar players come,” he continues. “And anytime anyone has an expertise in construction or is a handyman, we always need that.” After a moment, he concludes, thoughtfully, “We can find a spot for anybody with time, resources and expertise in a given area.”
Clubhouse Locations
Boys and Girls Clubs of Marin and Southern Sonoma Counties
Marin Clubhouses
Davidson Clubhouse
(415) 485-3790
150 Lovell Ave.
San Rafael, CA 94901
Bayside MLK Clubhouse
(415) 342-4116
630 Drake Ave.
Sausalito, CA 94965
San Jose Middle School Clubhouse
(415) 763-9892
1000 Sunset Pkwy.
Novato, CA 94949
Cove Elementary School Clubhouse
(415) 763-9893
330 Golden Hind Passage
Corte Madera, CA 94925
Petaluma Clubhouses
Lucchesi Park Club, Petaluma Athletics and Administrative Offices
(707) 769-5322
203 Maria Dr.
Petaluma, CA 94954
"Club 203" at Lucchesi Park (Summer Teen Center)
(707) 769-5322
203 Maria Dr.
Petaluma, CA 94954
Cinnabar Clubhouse
(765) 4344 x110
286 Skillman Ln.
Petaluma, CA 94954
McDowell School Clubhouse
(707) 775-4763
421 South McDowell Blvd.
Petaluma, CA 94954
McKinley School Clubhouse
(707) 765-9189
110 Ellis St.
Petaluma, CA 94952
Corona Ranch Clubhouse
(707) 765-6389
990 Ely Rd.
Petaluma, CA 94954
Downtown River Clubhouse
(707) 769-9175
35 E. Washington St.
Petaluma, CA 94952
Old Elm Village Clubhouse
(707) 769-4428
2 Sandy Ln.
Petaluma, CA 94952
Round Walk Village Clubhouse
(707) 778-9397
745 N. McDowell Blvd.
Petaluma, CA 94954
American Canyon Clubhouses
American Canyon Clubhouse
(707) 648-1460
60 Benton Way
American Canyon, CA 94503
Canyon Oaks Elementary Unit
(707) 260-5402
475 Silver Oak Trail
American Canyon, CA 94503
American Canyon Middle School
(707) 648-1460
60 Benton Way
American Canyon, CA 94503
Donaldson Way Elementary
(707) 648-1460
Unit 60 Benton Way
American Canyon, CA 94503
Napa Junction Elementary Unit
(707) 225-5491
300 Napa Junction Rd.
American Canyon, CA 94503
Napa Clubhouses
Club 1515 Teen Center
(707) 255-8866 x111
1515 Pueblo Ave.
Napa, CA 94558
McPherson Elementary Unit 94558
(707) 501-8948
2670 Yajome St.
Napa, CA
Napa Valley Language Academy Unit 94558
(707) 266-4455
2700 Kilburn Ave.
Napa, CA
Pueblo Vista Elementary Unit
(707) 266-4456
1600 Barbara Rd.
Napa, CA 94558
Salvador Elementary Unit
(707) 501-8949
1850 Salvador Ave.
Napa, CA 94558
Did You Know?
• The Boys & Girls Clubs includes more than 1,140 independent organizations and the national organization, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA).
• BGCA’s Atlanta headquarters, regional service centers and government relations office in Washington, D.C., provide assistance and support to clubs in youth program development, resource development, marketing and communications, and administration.
• Independent Boys & Girls Club organizations, which are governed locally, serve youth and communities in more than 4,100 locations.
• In 2013, Boys & Girls Club youth development programs, training and services impacted nearly 4 million children and teens.
• BGCA provides a 24-hour hotline, training and the latest resources to help clubs be safe places for our nations youth.
Source: http://www.bgca.org/
By the Numbers
There are 4,175 chartered club facilities, including approximately:
• 1,500 in schools
• 500 BGCA-affiliated youth centers on U.S. military installations worldwide
• 300 in public housing
• 200 on native land
Source: http://www.bgca.org/
Age Percentages Nationwide
• 5% 5 years old and under
• 36% 6-9 years old
• 30% 10-12 years old
• 19% 13-15 years old
• 10% 16 and older
• 55% of members are male
• 45% of members are female
Source: http://www.bgca.org/
The Importance of a Dollar
Union Bank recently partnered with the nonprofit Operation HOPE and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Sonoma Valley to educate elementary students about the basics of personal finance. The first session began at Dunbar Elementary School in September and lasted five weeks.
The course, titled Banking on Our Future, featured sections such as The Basics of Budgeting, Get Smart About Banking (covering checking and savings accounts), Fundamentals of Credit and Introduction to Savings and Investing. Each week, students participating in the program learned practical lessons by use of hands-on calculations and real world examples.
“Working together with Union Bank and Operation HOPE, we’ve been able to bring the Banking on Our Future Curriculum to students at our club so they receive a great financial education foundation,” says Boys and Girls Clubs of Sonoma Valley CEO Robert Hughes.
“On the last day of the program, we go around the room and listen to each student share a financial concept. It’s amazing to hear how much the kids have learned,” says Union Bank Vice President and Senior Community Relations Officer Molly Fedorchak. “We thoroughly enjoyed working with the team at the Sonoma Valley Boys and Girls Club at Dunbar Elementary School and can’t want to return for more programs.”
