These
initiatives focus on meeting the significant and specific needs identified
within Boys & Girls Clubs. Their broad scope complements several or all of
our core program areas. Delinquency and Gang Prevention/Intervention Initiative This community-based initiative targets young people ages 6 to 18 that are at
high risk for involvement or are already involved with delinquency and gangs. These youth and teens are directed to positive alternatives and learn about
violence prevention. Clubs collaborate with local partners to mobilize
resources, recruit hardto- reach youth, mainstream them into appropriate Club
programming and monitor their progress through individualized case management.
Clubs and State Alliances can also receive assistance in pursuing local and
state funding for programs addressing delinquency, gangs and violence.  Latino Outreach The Latino Outreach Initiative provides Clubs with effective strategies to
reach, serve and empower Latino youth and families. Reaching out to the Latino community requires no additional funding and combines
a successful outreach approach with best practices collected from extensive
field tests. It has five components. Outreach involves engaging Latino youth and
families through word-of-mouth referrals, face-to-face contacts, community
collaborations, special events and targeted programming. Programming gives young
Latinos access to Club interest- and need-based programs to help them develop
leadership abilities and strong decision making skills. Leadership offers
opportunities for youth, staff, board members and the community to sharpen their
skills and serve their communities. Education promotes working closely with the
Clubs to encourage high school graduation and higher education through
partnerships and targeted programs. Sustainability focuses on managing growth
and maintaining Club services for Latinos through board development and
cultivation of local Latino-owned businesses as funding sources.  Youth for Unity Through a comprehensive set of interventions, the Youth for Unity program aims
to promote and celebrate diversity while combating prejudice, bigotry and
discrimination. Youth for Unity features age-appropriate programming for youth ages 6 to 12,
teens and parents; training and resources for Club professionals; and a
leadership awards program. The program builds the capacity of local Clubs to
help their members appreciate themselves as unique and special individuals,
understand diversity in society, recognize bias and unfairness and take personal
leadership in confronting bias.  Teen Initiative The Teen Initiative provides program resources, grant funding, training and
technical assistance to Club staff and boards so they can deepen their impact on
teens in their communities. Teens are not simply “older children” – they have reached a developmental stage
that requires a different strategic approach to recruitment, retention,
marketing, staff interaction, use of space and programming. In addition, the
needs and developmental abilities of younger teens ages 13 to 15 vary from those
of older teens ages 16 to 18. The Teen Initiative helps Clubs increase their
outreach to teens and serve them more effectively. Family PLUS: Parents, Leading, Uniting, Serving The Family PLUS initiative enables Clubs to partner with families and
collaborate with other community agencies to ensure the positive development of
youth through programming, resources and support. The model has five key
components. Kinship care programming provides knowledge and resources to extended family
members (grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.) who have assumed the
primary caregiver role. Father involvement programming supports fathers in
taking a more active, positive role in their children’s lives. Outreach,
recruitment and retention activities help Clubs engage and integrate parents,
other family members and children into Club life. The Family Advocacy Network
(FAN) Club, empowers parents through leadership, educational and social
activities and individual support. Economic opportunity programs help family
members advance their education and build their skills so they can secure stable
jobs with increased earnings.  Club Tech Club Tech helps young people develop the technology skills necessary to succeed
in school and in the job market. Club Tech is an ambitious, multi-year initiative that provides all Boys & Girls Clubs with state-of-the-art software; a comprehensive array of programs to help Club professionals build members’ computer skills and integrate technology in all Core Program Areas; and extensive, ongoing training for Club professionals. Club Tech helps Clubs incorporate technology in every aspect of their operations. Most importantly, young people develop the technology skills necessary to succeed in school and the job market. Club Tech resources and programs are available through www.myclubmylife.com, BGCA's website for teens.
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