Our mission is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens.

According to a 2007 Boys & Girls Clubs of America National Alumni Survey, 57% of alumni said the Club saved their life (up 5% from the 1999 survey), and 91% of alumni are satisfied with their adult life.

The programs of Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF) are carefully designed to develop life skills. So when youth leave the Club at age 18, they leave with the ability to make positive choices and lead a self-sufficient life.

As funding in the schools is cut, many critical developmental programs can be found only at a Boys & Girls Club. For at-risk youth, access to these activities can mean the difference between a life of bad choices and a life of positive achievement.

Character and Leadership Development... empower youth to support and influence their Club and community, sustain meaningful relationships with others, develop a positive self-image, participate in the democratic process and respect their own and other's cultural identities. Clubhouse programs include: Youth of the Year, Keystone Club, Torch Club and Community Service.

Educational and Career Development... enable youth to become proficient in basic educational disciplines and apply that learning to achieve success in their future educational and career endeavors. Clubhouse programs include: Power Hour Homework Assistance, Career Prep/Junior Achievement, Technology Centers, Math/Sciences and Literacy.

Health and Life Skills... develop young people’s capacity to engage in positive behaviors that nurture their own well-being, set personal goals and live successfully as self-sufficient adults. Clubhouse programs include: SMART Moves, SMART Girls and Passport to Manhood.

The Arts... enable youth to develop their creativity and cultural awareness through knowledge and appreciation of the visual arts, crafts, performing arts and creative writing. Clubhouse programs include: National Fine Arts Contest/Art Show, National Photography Contest, Creative Writing, Poetry and Performing Arts.

Sports, Fitness and Recreation... develop fitness, positive use of leisure time, skills for stress management, teamwork, appreciation for the environment and social skills. Clubhouse programs include: Citywide Sports leagues, non-traditional and non-competitive sports such as Judo and swimming.

Teen Programming... offers age appropriate activities such as scholarship programs, community service opportunities, apprenticeships, skills assessments, as well as drug and alcohol prevention programs. Teen centers provide a safe and engaging space for Club Members (13 and over) and are open extended hours each day as well as Friday nights. It is our intention that youth be engaged in positive activities during these critical hours. Other programs include Council for Unity and Gang Prevention and Intervention.

Citywide Services

BGCSF Citywide Services allow youth the opportunity to access a larger network of facility resources by coordinating with sports, youth, employment, health and mentoring services. Many of these programs provide valuable support to the community while maximizing the opportunities created by the nine Clubhouses.

College Prep... assists members with college applications, SAT prep, as well as financial planning for youth and their families.

Club Health... promotes healthy living habits such as proper nutrition, diet and regular exercise, as well as access to medical, dental and mental health services.

Club Sports... increases the quality and quantity of sports programming, emphasizing personal development and positive growth. Through city-wide leagues, BGCSF provides thousands of youth organized sports programs and league play, as well as clinics and camps.

Camp Mendocino... offers a creative, fun and supportive outdoor experience in a safe environment for youth ages six to 14. Being away from home for six to 10 days builds the self-esteem and confidence of our young people. They learn respect for others and themselves and gain character & leadership skills. Through our outdoor programs like nature, hiking and L.I.F.E (Living In a Forest Environment), children are taught respect and appreciation for the natural environment.

Project Discover... offers a tuition-free high-end academic program for motivated Boys & Girls Club members (3rd-6th grade). The most recent addition to BGCSF's education programs, Project Discover begins with a six-week academic summer program, followed by nine-months of tutoring and academic support during the school-year. Project Discover's exciting year-round program includes weekly tutoring, monthly field trips, workshops and special events. The goal of this incredible program is to encourage a love of learning and lay a foundation that will empower its members to succeed throughout their academic career and eventually be prepared to excel in the workforce.