OUR MISSION

WE EMPOWER YOUTH TO REACH THEIR

highest potential

BY PROVIDING

SAFE SPACES

AND

TRANSFORMATIVE EXPERIENCES.

OUR CORE CURRICULUM

THE ARTS

Programs in this area enable youth to develop their creativity and cultural awareness through knowledge and appreciation of the visual arts, crafts, performing arts and creative writing.

CHARACTER & LEADERSHIP

Programs in this area help youth become responsible and caring citizens. Programs participants also develop leadership skills and gain opportunities for planning, decision-making, and contributing to the Club.

health & wellness

Programs in this area develop young people's capacity to engage in positive behaviors that nurture their own well-being, set personal goals, and live successfully as self-sufficient adults.

EDUCATION & STEM

Programs in this Core Area enable youth to become proficient in basic education disciplines, set goals, explore careers, prepare for employment, and embrace technology to achieve success in a career.

sports & recreation

Programs in this area develop fitness, positive use of leisure time, skills for stress management, appreciation for the environment and social skills.

OUR HISTORY

Boys Clubs were first established in New England in the 1850's by groups of people who realized there was a need for a non-sectarian organization providing after-school and evening activities with leadership for less privileged boys. Boys Clubs of America was founded in 1856 by the then existing Boys Clubs for their mutual benefit and the promotion of the movement. It was incorporated as a non-profit organization in Massachusetts in the same year. The first Club was opened in Hartford, Connecticut in 1865.It was chartered by the 84th Congress of the United States in 1956, under Public Law 988. The national organization became the Boys and Girls Club of America in 1990. The Boys and Girls Clubs of America National Headquarters is located in Atlanta, Georgia.

The Boys and Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Valley ("BGCMV") has been serving the needs of area young people since 1994. It is a member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, a national organization of non-profit, non-sectarian private agencies serving young people in clubs nationwide,

FAQ

  • Boys & Girls Clubs of America is a national organization that provides affordable after school programs for youth ages 6-18. Boys & Girls Clubs are found in all 50 states and is consistently ranked one of the best organization for youth in the country. The local chapter in the Quad Cities is the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Valley.

  • BGCMV demonstrates these unique characteristics:

    • Building Centered — The Boys and Girls Club is a place, an actual building designed for youth programs and activities.

    • For All Boys and Girls — We serve all boys and girls ages 6-18.

    • Daily Access to Programs — The Boys and Girls Club is open when youth need us the most. We are open Monday-Friday when youth have free time and need positive alternatives. We are also open on non-holidays when members are not in school.

    • Affordable — Our members pay no more than $15 per school year program and no child is ever turned away due to inability to pay.

    • Accessible and Community Based — Our Clubs are located in neighborhoods where kids need us the most and similar resources are not available. 

    • Trained Professional Staff —Trained and caring youth development professionals provide daily guidance and supervision to Club members and serve as role models and mentors.

    • Tested, Proven Curriculums — Our Club members participate in a variety of programs in the areas of Education & STEM, Character & Leadership, Health & Wellness, The Arts, and Sports & Recreation

  • No, BBBS is a 1:1 mentoring program where the youth and mentor go on outings a few times a month. BGC is a comprehensive youth development program that serves all its members in one place every day during out of school hours.

  • During the school year, all members are expected to complete their homework daily during Power Hour. Staff and volunteers are on hand to assist with any questions members may have.

    After that, members participate in different activities. We have a wide variety of programs that are in our five Core Program Areas.

    We also provide guest speakers, special events, and field trips to our members.

    After program time, members have Social Recreation time, where they can learn recreation games such as pool or ping pong, play video games, finish art projects, and have free time with their friends. All of our Clubs provide a snack and meal for members daily, at no additional cost

  • Any child between the ages of 6-18 years old that is currently enrolled in school.
     

  • Fees are $15 per member per school year. Additional fees may apply to our Summer Programs.

  • All of our funding comes from individual and corporate donations, grants and special events.

  • Robert & Blenda Ontiveros Youth Center (in Moline) 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM

    Hours may change to meet needs, please see the Club pages for specific days and times.