The Boys & Girls Clubs of Stoneham & Wakefield is part of a nationwide movement of community-based, autonomous organizations - the Boys & Girls Clubs of America - working to help youth of all backgrounds develop the qualities needed to become responsible citizens and leaders. Our mission is simple: "To enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens." Since 1973 we have offered daily access to a broad range of programs in five core areas: 1) Character and Leadership Development, 2) Education and Career Development, 3) Health and Life Skills, 4) Arts, 5) Sports and Recreation, As well as other specialized initiatives. We maintain a very affordable membership of $25 for the entire year, which is substantially lower than all after-school programs in the community. Meanwhile, we are offering in-depth programming that costs over $750 per child. In 2016 we served over 1,000 children, in 2017 we served approximately 1,700 children, and have tripled the number of children we serve from 2013. Our most recent data shows a 30% increase in 2018 and growing. Recent accomplishments include investing in capital & staff at all levels including building two teen centers and hiring a teen director, program director, & social worker. We brought in more Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) programs from teaching young children carpentry to buildings computers. This also included launching a series of Girls STEAM and Empowerment initiatives, increasing the number of young women interested in those fields. We opened a music and media room to expand program offerings in music and film. Finally, we’re confronting the opiate epidemic through prevention programs, including family outreach programs such as support for grandparents raising again, and began working with local police and district attorney(s).
