$9,170 raised by 35 donors
61% complete
$15,000 Goal
Our vision is to provide a world-class experience that assures success is within reach of every young person who enters our doors, with all members on track to graduate from high school with a plan for the future, demonstrating good character and citizenship, and living a healthy lifestyle.
Andrea Rodriguez, Club Parent:
Over the years, Boys & Girls Clubs of Pueblo County has helped my family tremendously. Being a single mother of three children is very difficult and the Club benefits my children in so many ways, especially with the amazing programs that they offer. Without Boys & Girls Club, I would be struggling. If my children could not attend the Club, they would be at home and unproductive with their free time. Boys & Girls Club offers my children many opportunities to learn, grow, and set goals for themselves. Everything about the Club has been a positive influence on my children.
Arlett, Club Member, age 10:
What the Club means to me is that it is like a home to me because I get to see my friends and get to tell them what happens to me at school. I feel like I'm at home because I have all my friends that are like my brothers and sisters. If there were no Clubs I would be at home sitting watching TV and playing the Wii.
The Club also does not tolerate any bullying. If there was someone being hurt, they would make it stop instantly. It has plenty of staff for you to tell them what is going on. The Club shows me what to do or not to do at my age. It can help you learn from all your mistakes. I also like going to the Club because I can trust all the staff. It is the only way we will learn to have discipline.
I also like to go to the Club because they do Power Hour. It is fun because we get to do our homework. When you are done, you get more time to play at the Club, especially spend time with your friends or family. It is also an active place to be. You get to do many sports like soccer, basketball, and other activities. They like to keep you in shape and they care for your health.
The Club makes me a bigger and stronger person because it helps me work hard for my dreams to come true and all of goals to be achieved.
Aaliyah, Club Member, age 12:
In the three years I've been coming to the Club, I felt that every day I come here I'm home. The staff are like my parents, and they are always pushing me to be the greatest I can be in everything, whether it's school, athletics, or a better person. Every time I have a problem I feel comfortable to talk to a staff about it or tell them anything.
Our mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.
Our highest vision is to provide a world-class Club Experience that assures success is within reach of every young person who enters our doors, with all members on track to graduate from high school with a plan for the future, demonstrating good character and citizenship, and living a healthy lifestyle.
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 52nd year in 2024. 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 one new Clubhouse and four extension sites in 2024, bringing our total to twelve service sites 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 most recent Kids Count 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 (86% of our members live below the poverty line; 45% live in a single parent household; and 18% live with neither parent).
3. deliver comprehensive, evidence-based programming, 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 low are no cost 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.
Organization name
Boys & Girls Clubs of Pueblo County
other names
BGCPC
1972
Tax id (EIN)
23-7307508
Category
Youth Development
Organization Size
Large Organization
Colorado State Tax Credits
Colorado Child Care Credit
Address
635 W. Corona Ave., Suite 100Pueblo County, CO, US