Boys & Girls Clubs of Pueblo County

Background Statement

With thousands of nonprofits in Colorado, why should you invest in Boys & Girls Clubs of Pueblo County?

Boys & Girls Clubs of Pueblo County (BGCPC) celebrated its 50th year in 2022. Now more than ever, it is critical to invest in programs that make the greatest impact.

Of all the heartbreaking effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, its impact on young people could prove to be one of its most damaging legacies. Studies have shown that the impact of the pandemic on K-12 learning was significant, leaving kids months behind in mathematics and reading. The pandemic widened pre-existing opportunity and achievement gaps, hitting historically neglected students hardest.

- High schoolers have become more likely to drop out of school.

- High school seniors have become less likely to go on to post-secondary education.

- More than 35% of parents are concerned about their children’s social and emotional well-being.

- Parents are reporting a 5% increase in anxiety and 6% increase in depression amongst their kids.

Young peoples’ well-being is connected to academics. When our kids fall behind in school, their self-esteem suffers. When they are struggling emotionally, kids don’t do well in school.

To address this increase in our kids' needs, BGCPC opened four new sites since summer 2021, bringing our Clubhouses to eight throughout Pueblo County. We serve kids Monday-Thursday after school; all-day on Fridays and during school breaks; and through a six to nine-week summer program.

Due to a deep commitment on the part of our board and staff, our ability to adapt and be flexible and (most importantly) the strong relationships we have with our Club members and their families, BGCPC provided vital services during the three years since the COVID-19 pandemic appeared. During this challenging time, BGCPC was awarded El Pomar Foundation’s prestigious "Award of Excellence," the Pueblo Latino Chamber of Commerce’s "Non-Profit of the Year Award" and the "Blue Cape Award" from Pueblo's Child Advocacy Center.

According to the Kids Count 2022 Report, there are more than 36,546 school aged kids in Pueblo County, and nearly 17% are living in poverty. Where do all of these young people go after school? Many will head home to empty houses. We know the most dangerous time for young people is after school until caregivers come home from work, due to a lack of supervision.

With limited access to quality after school programming in Pueblo County, it is not surprising that…

-Nearly 1 out of every 4 students in Pueblo County fails to graduate high school on time.

-The teen birth rate in Pueblo County is higher than the state of Colorado's. Despite remarkable gains in reducing the teen pregnancy rate in recent years, studies now show dramatic increases in teen Sexually Transmitted Infections, which the community must address.

-According to the Healthy Kids Colorado Survey, out of all students in Pueblo City Schools grades 6-12, 60% reported having used alcohol, 44% used marijuana and 24% used prescription drugs.

Our youth need and deserve a safe, positive alternative. BGCPC's members have dramatically better outcomes on the risky behaviors listed above. We are uniquely positioned to make a significant impact because we:

1. are located in neighborhoods with the highest need.

2. serve the kids who need us most (91% of our members live below poverty; 45% live in a single parent household; and 18% do not live with either parent).

3. deliver comprehensive, evidence-based programming that is facilitated by highly educated and trained youth development professionals.

4. are open when children and teens (and their families) need us most.

5. provide programs without financial barriers. Although it costs us $2,100 to serve each kid per year, the Clubs are free to all youth in Pueblo County due to several grants and sponsorships.

6. provide snacks, meals, Spanish translation and transportation, removing these factors as possible barriers to access for kids and their caregivers.