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BY BART MCFADDEN

Every day, Boys & Girls Clubs across Tennessee open their doors to thousands of children, providing more than just a safe place after school. These Clubs are lifelines – lifelines that transform not only the lives of young people but also the families and communities around them.

I was recently reminded of the incredible, life-changing impact of Boys & Girls Clubs by a heartfelt letter from a foster parent whose son attends one of our Clubs. This parent, “Emily,” shared the profound difference the Club has made in her family’s life:

*”Thank you for your hard work making an awesome and safe place for kids to be! I literally do not know what parents do who have to pick up their kids at 2:45 each day! If it wasn’t for you guys, I could not be a foster parent. You make it possible to work my job and care for Joey and every now and then to get 5 minutes to myself.

And the fact that it’s not just childcare, but a place he loves to be and is excited about. That’s huge. I know he’s not always an easy kid… thank you so much for all the work and care you pour into him and all the other kiddos.”

Love,

Emily and Joey*

This letter is more than just words of gratitude – it’s a testament to how Boys & Girls Clubs create ripples of hope and opportunity. Joey has faced challenges that no child should endure, including navigating multiple foster homes. Yet in his Club, he has found something priceless: stability, support, and role models who care deeply about his future.

Through programs like educational support, youth arts, daily physical activity, cooking clubs, and social-emotional development activities, Joey is not just learning and growing; he is thriving. His story is one of thousands of success stories each year, as Boys & Girls Clubs across Tennessee serve kids from all backgrounds and circumstances.

But the impact of Boys & Girls Clubs doesn’t stop with the children. For parents like Emily, the Club is the reason she can remain a foster parent. By providing a safe, enriching place for Joey to go after school, the Club allows Emily to work her job and sustain her household. For some parents, Boys & Girls Clubs make the difference between maintaining their families and facing impossible choices.

This dual impact – on children and their families – is at the heart of everything Boys & Girls Clubs do. And what sets Boys & Girls Clubs apart is their commitment to not just saying they make a difference, but proving it. The measurable outcomes of Boys & Girls Clubs across Tennessee speak for themselves:

The Impact of Boys & Girls Clubs in Tennessee

Childcare (Out-of-School Time Care)

– 31,959 registered members in 2023

– 8,225 daily attendance

– Open 245 days per year, providing more than 1,500 hours of programming annuall

academic support

– Daily enrichment and small group tutoring to promote academic success

– 93% of youth say their Club expects them to do their best

– 87% of K-3rd graders improved or maintained early literacy skills through the Summer Enrichment Program

Youth Mental Health

– Preventive and intervention strategies to build positive self-image, relationships, and decision-making skills

– 87% of youth surveyed report having a caring, stable adult mentor to talk to, helping mitigate childhood trauma

Workforce Development

– Hands-on career exploration and first-job skill development

– More than 1,000 high school members participated in paid internships, career training, or exploration camps

Results of Club Programming

– 98% of seniors graduated on time

– 95% of youth say adults at the Club care about them

– 79% of youth say they can count on peers at the Club for support

These numbers reflect the tangible, life-changing impact Boys & Girls Clubs deliver across Tennessee. They are not just places for kids to go – they are environments where kids are nurtured, inspired, and prepared to achieve their greatest potential.

But these outcomes are only possible because of the generosity of our communities. From financial donations to volunteering time, the support of individuals, businesses, and organizations fuels the work of Boys & Girls Clubs. It is because of this collective effort that kids like Joey can dream big, and parents like Emily can keep their families together.

When we look at our communities across Tennessee, we must ask: where would kids like Joey be without Boys & Girls Clubs? The answer is one we don’t want to imagine. Instead, let’s celebrate and support what is possible when we come together to invest in the next generation.

Boys & Girls Clubs are not just clubs. They are catalysts for brighter futures, one child, one family, and one community at a time.

(Bart McFadden is the Interim Executive Director of Boys & Girls Clubs in Tennessee)