Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach

The academic gap - also referred to as the opportunity or achievement gap - represents the disparities in educational outcomes between students from different socioeconomic, racial, and geographic backgrounds. In Long Beach, many of our youth face barriers to academic success due to limited access to resources, underfunded schools, food insecurity, and challenges in their home environments. Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach plays a vital role in narrowing this gap by providing consistent, year-round academic support in a safe, nurturing environment. Through evidence-based programs such as Power Hour homework help, STEM activities, and college & career readiness initiatives, Club members receive the tools and encouragement they need to succeed. 

General Information:

It takes a village! Our staff, volunteers, and community partners enable our Clubs to provide the most life-changing and supportive programming for youth in our community. In addition to academic tutoring and homework help, our Clubs support each child's social-emotional health and food insecurity, along with teaching them the skills needed to be successful adults. For our Club wrap around services, it costs $1,500 per student, but we only charge $15 annually to ensure our most at-risk youth population can get the same experiences and opportunities as their more privileged peers.

During the school year, Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach (BGCLB) provides vital programming from Monday through Friday. BGCLB offers four hours of afterschool enrichment, including one hour of homework support and one hour of recreation. These services expand to full-day camp during the summer and spring break. Daily activities meet members' diverse needs and interests and typically fall into five core program areas:

Leadership & Service: Empowers youth to support and influence their community through volunteering and leadership groups through programs such as Keystone Club (teen program that affords teens an opportunity to gain valuable leadership and service experience).

Education & Career Development: Reinforces what is learned in school, provides tutoring, and offers college and career opportunity workshops to solidify and expand Club members' futures through programs such as Diplomas2Degrees (helps teen Club members overcome the college readiness gap by preparing them to succeed. This includes application support and funding along with distributing college scholarships).

The Arts: Programs like photography and our dance program fosters creativity and gives members outlets for self-expression.

Health & Wellness: Promotes lifestyles avoiding risky behaviors and juvenile delinquency while improving relationship skills with programs such as Brent's Club, a substance abuse prevention and education programs that supports the development of healthy and productive youth that are substance-free (in partnership with the Brent Shapiro Foundation for Alcohol and Drug Awareness).

Sports & Recreation: Encourages teamwork, self-confidence, and leadership through sports leagues and recreation activities such as basketball, volleyball, soccer, baseball, and flag football.

Don Takes the Hit, Kids Get the Win

Your donation doesn't just support our Club members - it also unlocks hilarious dares for our CEO, Don Rodriguez! From water balloon fights to crazy costumes, every donation milestone brings a new challenge. Give today, and see how your generosity turns into both lasting change and a little extra fun! 

$2,500 Raised: Don will have to survive a water balloon fight! 

$5,000 Raised: Don will go a whole day with dyed hair!  

$10,000 Raised: Don goes the whole day in a wacky costume!   

BONUS DARES FOR EVERY $1,000 INDIVIDUAL DONATION: Donors can spin the wheel for some extra fun, including: Goofy dances, wigs, and taking funny face photos. 

It Takes a Village!

We cannot do the amazing work that we do without the help of some amazing nonprofit organizations in Long Beach! Please click on their links to learn how you can support them as well: 

African American Cultural Center of Long Beach: In partnership, we have expanded our arts programming after hosting our first summer arts showcase. 

Ground Education:  Provides weekly garden and nature education workshops.  

Long Beach Rotary Scholarship Foundation: High school senior Club members are given the opportunity to apply for college scholarships. 

Long Beach Rescue Mission: Our teens complete their monthly community service projects by putting together food boxes and sorting clothes. 

Long Beach BLAST: Provides mentoring and resources to our Club members throughout the year. 

Testimonials

"I used to feel lost and unsure about my future, but being a part of Diplomas2Degrees has given me so many opportunities to learn about different career paths I can take. It's like having a roadmap to success and I feel more confident about my ability to achieve my goals now." - male Club member, age 17