Entering your senior year of high school, there can be a lot to balance: graduation, college applications, and other life changes can be intimidating and stressful. Recently, we caught up with 12-year Visitacion Valley Clubhouse member and National Youth of the Year Sabrina M. to get tips on how you can manage the stress of graduating high school and preparing for college.

We are pleased to announce that 12-year Visitacion Valley Clubhouse member Sabrina M. has been chosen as the National Youth of the Year!

Twelve-year Visitacion Valley Clubhouse member and a National Youth of the Year finalist Sabrina M. penned this essay detailing her vision for education in America. We’ve shared it here to showcase the extraordinary character, leadership, and insight that young people at Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco possess. 

Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco is privileged to have youth development superheroes who use their powers for the benefit of San Francisco’s next generation. Recently, we were asked to highlight one staff member in recognition of Batman’s 80th anniversary, and one staff member in particular really stood out...

For seven weeks each summer, Camp Mendocino provides a space for hundreds of kids to learn about nature, make new friends and create memories that last a lifetime. Take a look at the impact we made with our outstanding programming this year.

This summer, BGCSF hosted 20 Career Exposure events, with members from each of our eight San Francisco Clubhouses participating. Among the destinations our kids visited were Microsoft, LinkedIn, PwC, Tesla, United Airlines, and Bon Appetit Management Company at Oracle Park.

Over the past two decades the cost of college has increased drastically, and the financial barrier this creates for prospective college students of all socio-economic levels cannot be overstated. It’s critically important that Club members and their families understand all the expenses associated with college and the financial ramifications of the decisions they make. 

Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco’s (BGCSF) Citywide Creative Arts Program provides a path for youth from marginalized communities to access high-quality art instruction in an environment where they can feel heard, valued, loved and understood.

At BGCSF, we view it as core to our mission to help Club members get on the path to a college degree. In addition to the skill building and growth in knowledge that occur as a result of attending college, students also build long-term confidence for themselves and their families, and set an example for other family members and younger Club members.

At BGCSF, our greatest asset is our people. On Friday, May 31st, we celebrated the outstanding staff who dedicate themselves to our youth at our annual Staff Appreciation Day.

On Saturday, May 18th, we hosted our Annual Gala & After-Party at San Francisco’s historic Palace of Fine Arts. Centered on the theme of Our Youth, Our City, Our Future, the Gala attracted nearly 1,100 attendees who were shown the numerous ways BGCSF makes a difference in the lives of young people in San Francisco.

On Thursday, May 9th, Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco’s Citywide Youth of the Year from our Visitacion Valley Clubhouse, Sabrina M., was named the 2019 Pacific Region Youth of the Year by Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

On Saturday, April 13th, BGCSF’s Excelsior Clubhouse held its second annual STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) Fair. Organized by Keystone Club members from the Excelsior Clubhouse, this event featured fun, educational activities for the whole family.

Sabrina and eight other accomplished youth from Clubs across California gathered in Sacramento for two and a half days for the competition. Sabrina now advances to the Pacific Region competition, to be held in Beverly Hills in May. The competition will feature teens from nine western states, one of whom will go on to compete in the National Youth of the Year competition in September 2019.

April is volunteer appreciation month at BGCSF, and we’re highlighting some of our motivated volunteers to show how they’re making a difference in the lives of San Francisco youth.

Camp Mendocino is BGCSF's home away from home, and we're looking for outstanding staff to help make Camp a fun, safe, and educational experience for youth this summer. Check out our 20 reasons why working at Camp is the best job ever!

Recently, Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco held our fourth annual Trades Fair at the Don Fisher Clubhouse, inviting youth from across the Bay Area to learn about prospective employers and the opportunities made available by learning a trade.

Last fall marked the start of our third year running the African American Male Initiative, which aims to reverse negative trends for African American boys. Recently, we caught up with Harold Love, BGCSF’s Vice President of Club Services, to speak with him about the initiative's role at BGCSF.

Since 2004, BGCSF’s Behavioral Health Services (BHS) has provided culturally competent, child-centered, and trauma-informed mental health support for BGCSF members. BHS is part of our Club communities, complementary to the work of our staff, and embedded into our after-school programming.

A Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF) membership includes a lot, and continues to be among the least expensive, highest quality program options for youth and families in San Francisco.

Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco is pleased to announce that Sabrina McFarland from the Visitacion Valley Clubhouse is Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco’s 2019 Citywide Youth of the Year. Sabrina is a twelve-year member of BGCSF.

At Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco, we’re dedicated to helping youth achieve the great futures they want in life. One of the ways we do this is through our sports offerings, which includes our exceptional swim program.

In recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco held an organization-wide day of service on Monday, January 21st as a demonstration of our commitment to Dr. King’s vision.

We’re pleased to announce the launch of the new kidsclub.org, the online home of Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco.

Recently, youth from our Don Fisher Clubhouse took part in SF Ballet’s Nutcracker Benefit Luncheon: Land of Dreams.

Our annual Youth of the Year program is developing the next generation of leaders at Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco.

With 20+ years of experience in youth development, Carlton Eichelberger truly embodies what it means to be a part of the team here at Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF).

At the 2018 Annual Gala, BGCSF President Rob Connolly gave an inspirational speech about how the Club helps create pathways to success for young people in San Francisco.

Throughout the year, the Swim Academy at the Don Fisher Clubhouse helps kids of all ages learn to swim confidently.

I’m appalled at what is happening to children in our country and you should be, too.

Graduating high school is a huge step for many of our Club members. We recently caught up with two of our high school graduates to see how the Club prepared them for the big challenges ahead.

Congratulations to all of the amazing youth artists who contributed their exceptional art pieces and participated in outstanding performances during the 2018 Citywide Creative Arts Week!

BGCSF's Annual Golf Tournament Wrap Up

Connecting Teens with 21st Century Career Opportunities

BGCSF’s New School-Based Club: Beacon at Carver Elementary

Summer is fast approaching, and Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF) is putting together a wealth of valuable programming for youth of all ages. With summer programming offered at 11 of our 14 Clubhouses and School-Based Clubs, BGCSF is an outstanding option for parents looking to provide a fun, educational environment for youth ages six to 18 over the summer.