Teen Programs

Below is a complete listing of teen programs:

Career Launch: Developed by The Gap Inc., this program provides teens with the hard skills they need to get a job, including resume and cover letter writing, effective job search strategies, interviewing skills, and how to dress for success in an interview and on the job.

Money Matters: Developed by Charles Schwab & Co., Money Matters helps teens gain financial literacy skills. The program allows teens to explore fun ways of learning the difference between financial needs and wants, how to create a personal budget, and wise use of credit, savings and investment.

Keystone Club: Keystone is a national program that encourages teens ages 14 to 18 to become leaders in their communities through civic engagement and service learning. Keystone Clubs participate in a national service project and are required to raise $3,000 annually in order to qualify for participation in the Regional and National Keystone Conferences.

Keystone United: Keystone United is a teen leadership board providing guidance and leadership on issues affecting teens at all Clubs.

Torch Club: Torch Club is national program that fosters the character and leadership skills of 11 to 13 year olds. Torch Clubs develop and implement their own volunteer and community service activities.

Achievement Matters: This is a recognition and awards program supporting teens in leadership development, academic achievement, and Club and community involvement. Teens work toward achieving success in these categories through personal and academic goal setting and completion. Education Directors track the academic progress of teens through report cards and meetings with individual teachers.

Formal Mentorship: This is a mentoring and tracking system that allows staff to guide teens as they move through high school. Club staff (who have a personal relationship) regularly meet with each teen individually to formally check in on a variety of areas, including academics, extra curricular activities, high school graduation requirements, family, Club and community involvement. Staff keep records of these meetings, creating a portfolio that tracks each teen’s progress through high school.

College Prep: This program provides teens with much needed information and a timeline for the college application process. Topic areas for this program include the A to G requirements for California high school graduation, the difference between community college, 4-year state and UC schools, and private colleges. Teens gain time management skills, attend local college fairs, receive support filling out college applications and FAFSA forms, and gain exposure to grants and scholarship information. They are also eligible for free SAT test prep classes. Each year, College Prep culminates with a three-day College Tour in California. The College Tour often serves as a teen’s first exposure to universities/colleges outside of San Francisco.

Teen Staff Program: The Teen Staff Program provides on-the-job training and support for teen members at the Club. All teen staff make a one-year commitment to serving their Club and participate in monthly trainings on topics such as public speaking, effective facilitation, and boundaries. Teen Staff must maintain a 2.0 GPA while participating in the program. BGCSF provides one-on-one tutoring and formal mentorship for teen staff.

Youth of the Year: Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco’s Youth of the Year (YOY) Program works with teens who have been identified by Club staff for their outstanding work in academics, community service, character development and service to their Club. YOY is a national competition and scholarship program. The BGCSF YOY has the opportunity to receive up to $30,000 in scholarship money for college. Youth of the Year participants complete a series of workshops that place a heavy emphasis on essay writing, team building, and public speaking. This program runs from October-January and culminates in a YOY competition in which a citywide winner is chosen. This youth then moves on to the next round of competition through Boys & Girls Clubs of America.