Agency Details:

Boys & Girls Clubs Of Central Iowa (BGCCI)

To enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.

Description:
BGCCI serves youth, ages 5 to 18, by providing every day after school programming as well as all-day programming during school breaks and summer vacation. Clubs provide youth a safe setting to go where they can participate in both supervised and self directed activities designed to give them developmental assets necessary for them to become successful adults. Homework help, computer access, leadership opportunities as well as a plethora of age appropriate activities and opportunities take place at Club daily. BGCCI’s youth development strategy includes instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging and power or influence with each member. These strategies are instilled through member’s involvement in the Club’s five core programming areas:

1. Character and Leadership Development
2. Health and Life Skills
3. Education and Career Development
4. The Arts
5. Sports, Fitness and Recreation
   
   

Population Served
While open and appropriate to all youth, BGCCI locates itself in underserved areas where high concentrations of youth facing challenging circumstances reside and can have access to Club. BGCCI has over 1,300 members and reaches an additional 3,500 youth through its outreach efforts.
Some key demographics of club members:
Household Income:
93% of families served have a total income of less than $35k
<$10k – 41% <$15k – 12% <$25k – 22% <$35k - 18%>$35k – 7%
Ethnicity:
Black/African American - 64% Hispanic/Latino – 16%White/Caucasian – 15% Asian/Pacific Islander – 3%Other – 2%
Family Make-up:
Single Parent – 50% Mother & Father – 26%Parent/Stepparent – 12%
Grandparents/Other Relative – 8% Foster/Other – 4%
Age Served:
Ages 5-10 – 57% Ages 11-15 – 39% Ages 16-18 – 4%

Operations/Funding
BGCCI operates four programming sites throughout Des Moines and receives little public funding, in fact over 98% of funding is raised privately by the Board of Directors, Trustees, volunteers and staff. Membership is only $10 a year for youth, but no one is denied membership if unable to pay. Programming is run efficiently and actual costs are kept to approximately $750 a member a year.

History:
BGCCI was founded in 1963 by Bernard (Bernie) Baker, Jr., A. H. Blank, Ellis I. Levitt, E.T. Meredith, Jr., Miles Mills, Sr. so youth of central Iowa have a positive place to learn and grow.

Contact person: JoAnn Hughes, Assistant To The Director, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (515) 262-0904

Address:

1350 E Washington Avenue Des Moines, IA 50316 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.bgcci.org

Last updated on October 5, 2009