The first day of school is like a New Year's Day for kids. Back to school signals a new beginning, a fresh start, an opportunity to set new goals, establish new routines, and rethink who you want to be moving forward. For school-age kids, this means a new backpack, fresh school supplies, maybe a haircut, and some new clothes, all to make sure you’re ready for what’s ahead.

Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF) is committed to supporting our LGBTQ+ youth year-round. Promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging at our Clubs and Camp is at the heart of the work we do and what we stand for as an organization. Celebrating Pride every June is an important example of this commitment! Last week, our Don Fisher Clubhouse hosted a Citywide Pride Month event, Summer Pride Healing: Perfect as You Are. 

BGCSF is committed to being part of a brighter future for the neighborhood and we are currently exploring plans for a new state-of-the-art Clubhouse in the Tenderloin.

Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF) is proud to recognize our AAPI community and their contributions to the strength and vibrancy of our communities. During this month and throughout the year, we are committed to elevating the voices, experiences, and perspectives of Club members, staff, and communities as part of BGCSF’s ongoing commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging. We are pleased to share personal reflections from youth and staff on the ways in which their AAPI heritage has shaped their identity.

BGCSF is currently offering free support and training to Black-serving and Black-led individuals and organizations participating in The Dream Keeper Initiative, a citywide effort launched in 2021 to reinvest $120 million over two years into San Francisco’s diverse Black communities.

April is Arab American Heritage Month and I am excited to both reflect on what this month means to me personally and share how BGCSF and Camp Mendocino engage Arab youth and their families.

We are pleased to highlight a member of our Senior Leadership Team, Erin Gutierrez. Erin has served the BGCSF community for 15 years. Her experience spans multiple roles across the organization and provides a powerful and unique perspective on the holistic impact of BGCSF.

Throughout Women’s History Month, Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF) is proud to share the unique stories, perspectives, and contributions of the women across our community. From staff and Board Members, to donors and volunteers, we are fortunate to be surrounded by a remarkable network of strong female supporters who inspire us everyday. 

During this month and throughout the year, BGCSF is committed to elevating the voices, experiences, and perspectives of Club members, staff, and communities. This is just one of the many Cultural Celebrations Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco recognizes throughout the year, as part of our ongoing commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging.

A message from BGCSF President Rob Connolly to supporters this holiday season.

At Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF) the safety of our young people is always our number one priority. Our organization is committed to the highest standards of safety and integrity and has zero tolerance for behavior that harms children. We take pride in the layout and design of our eight traditional Clubhouses, six School-Based Clubs, and Camp Mendocino. To compliment this, our caring staff are focused on providing both physically and emotionally safe places for our children and teens to thrive.

A letter from BGCSF President Rob Connolly to supporters.

I have worked for Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF) for 24 years. Throughout my journey from High School Services Director at our Tenderloin Clubhouse, to Clubhouse Director at our Excelsior Clubhouse, to currently overseeing Club operations at our 14 locations across the City (and additional roles in between) I have cultivated a deep understanding of the communities we serve and a true appreciation for how our programming supports our members in the best way possible. 

Back-to-school goals are a great way to plan for a successful year! As our members settle back into the school-year routine, we are excited to celebrate new beginnings and a fresh start to the 2022-23 academic year. ‍At BGCSF, we are committed to making sure our members have the tools they need to achieve their goals.

BGCSF Memberships for the 2022 - 2023 school-year are now available for purchase!

Summer is always a great opportunity for youth to unwind and simply be kids. Clearly, young people have been through way too much over the last two and a half years, and in response, Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco is determined to make this summer a time of joy for all Club members!

This week is National Volunteer Week and we want to take the opportunity to extend a huge thank you to the many groups and individuals who make it a priority to contribute their time and talents in service to Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF). Volunteers are vital to our organization’s success and we could not be more appreciative of their sustained commitment in support of San Francisco youth.

As an organization, we make it a priority to always meet our kids where they are. This year, we evolved our spring break college tour to do exactly that. After two tough years of experiencing the pandemic as a teen, we knew that back-to-back campus tours were not going to serve our youth in the best way possible.

Read our reflections on the past two years of the pandemic and our thoughts about moving forward. We believe wholeheartedly that Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco is a critical part of the solution for young people.

BGCSF enthusiastically supports Vaccinate ALL 58 and strongly encourages COVID-19 vaccinations for everyone who is eligible and who is able! Here are some of the ways in which our community has come together in support of COVID-19 vaccinations since June, 2021:

Columbia Park Clubhouse is a thriving community in the heart of San Francisco’s Mission District. The Club exposes members to experiences that complement their school day – from a strong art program and community service projects to job readiness programs and employment, peer leadership, sports, and more.

As a new calendar year begins, we are traditionally encouraged to embrace a fresh start and take the opportunity to set goals and establish priorities for the year. At the very end of December, staff across all levels of our organization joined together in our annual Safety Awareness Day training and recommitted to another year of making safety our #1 priority.

A warm welcome from Assistant Clubhouse Director, Jontonette Clark (Star), meets everyone who enters the Sunnydale Clubhouse. This friendly greeting is a true reflection of the overall energy of the Club. Community is an essential aspect of life here. Staff, youth, and families are closely connected to the neighborhood and the Club plays an important role in bringing everyone together.

Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco is proud to shine a spotlight on the latest addition to our Clubhouse family: BGCSF Beacon at Malcolm X Academy Elementary School! This school-based Club is our third site serving the Bayview and Hunters Point communities and is open to all kids for afterschool programming. The school currently enrolls approximately 100 K-5 students and the Club here regularly serves 35 students on a daily basis. 

Over the summer, a school bus route was cancelled impacting transportation for over 40 youth who regularly attend the Don Fisher Clubhouse after school. Club Families immediately took action. Letter writing campaigns and parent advocacy resulted not only in the bus route being reinstated, but in an additional bus stop being added right in front of the Clubhouse itself.

As we push through what we all hope are the final chapters of this pandemic, it’s important for us as individuals and for BGCSF as an organization to take time to reflect on what has happened and to think about what is next.

Excelsior Clubhouse is a tight-knit community with strong local roots and a deep commitment to neighborhood outreach. Many members have been Club kids for years and consider the space their second home. Clubhouse Director, Jennifer Snyder, has been in her current role for a decade; she not only knows every member who walks through the door, but oftentimes also knows their entire family by name.

As San Francisco schools prepare to open this month, Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco is poised to play a critical role in mitigating pandemic learning loss and supporting our members’ academic success. Because we remained open and active in our members’ lives throughout the pandemic, our relationships with youth and their families are stronger than ever. This makes us well-positioned to help address some of the long-term impacts of the pandemic and pave the road toward our members’ academic, social, and emotional recovery.

Four weeks ago, Camp Mendocino opened its doors to campers for the first time since 2019. Camp Director, Sara Richardson, reflects, “It has been such a joy to feel the spirit of Camp return to the redwoods after what has been an immensely challenging time for all of us. Seeing our campers' huge smiles as they sit around the campfire, try an activity for the first time or bond with a new friend fills me with so much hope for our post-pandemic world.”

However you choose to honor this important day, we’re glad you’re making a commitment to learning more about our country’s history and building a more inclusive world. Check out these helpful resources for celebrating Juneteenth for kids and adults of all ages.

Our organization has a long history of supporting youth during times of change and crisis, which meant that the framework for engaging with these crucial topics – the culture of trust and open communication – was already in place. But the events of last year helped us to recognize that we needed to be more intentional about bringing anti-racism into our programming. This is an ongoing process, but we’re making real progress and continually moving forward, always with the goal of doing whatever it takes to help our youth succeed.

Debby Machold, BGCSF Citywide Director of Behavioral Health Services (BHS) and Ann Arora, San Francisco-based psychotherapist and a member of BGCSF’s Board of Governors, discuss why investing in behavioral health is the key to mitigating learning loss and ensuring our youth recover from the devastating impact of the pandemic.

Every day this summer, youth from Kindergarten - 8th grade participate in hands-on activities that advance learning, build health and life skills, and provide social and emotional support. Literacy programming, STEM projects, maker spaces, and arts & crafts are integrated into the summer curriculum. Weeks are themed to keep the programming fresh and youth highly engaged. This summer, themes include Around The World, Outer Space, Superheroes, Under The Sea, and Club Olympics. 

As we approach summer, the Willie Mays Clubhouse and all other Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco have joined the Summer Together program, a San Francisco coalition of nonprofits, businesses and city departments offering free learning experiences for SFUSD students in summer 2021.

Like every aspect of life, BGCSF Clubhouses have looked different over the last year. But through it all, our incredible youth and staff have inspired us every day with the strength, courage, and positivity that they bring to our communities – both virtually and in-person.

Volunteers are an integral part of the BGCSF community. Our volunteer program invites individuals and companies to contribute their time and talent to empower San Francisco youth. During this past year, our volunteers stood shoulder-to-shoulder with us as we faced the public health crisis of a lifetime.

BGCSF stands for peace, equity, inclusion, and opportunity for all people. We believe we are better in every way through greater diversity — wiser, stronger, more creative, more resilient, more talented, more impactful, and more aware. BGCSF stands in solidarity with our Asian-American and Pacific Islander youth, BGCSF colleagues, partners, friends, and family.

Over one year ago, the COVID-19 crisis exploded into a pandemic, and San Francisco announced its first shelter-in-place. BGCSF President Rob Connolly reflects on the Club's work since then, and where the organization will focus its efforts as we emerge from this pandemic.

In light of the alarming hate crimes against Asian Americans in the Bay Area and across the country, Tenderloin Clubhouse Director Michael Vuong reflected on his response in both his personal life and with the youth he serves.

The groundbreaking for a community Hub will take place late this fall with the hopes of opening in late 2023. This will provide an essential community amenity and include a state-of-the art Boys & Girls Club, WuYee Childcare Center, and a San Francisco Recreation & Parks Department gym and park.

Over the years, I’ve met countless San Francisco youth who are passionate about changing the world. Many of our youth members come from marginalized communities of color. Too often, their voices are ignored and overlooked. Our kids need support to find their voices and platforms to share their perspectives. At Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco, they get that and so much more!

At Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco safety is a core part of our culture. We understand and accept that we have a moral responsibility to protect children from harm. Read more from BGCSF President Rob Connolly on how we make safety our #1 priority.

Citywide Director of Education Brian Sauer shares some of our key successes in helping combat the long term effects of the pandemic on students’ learning, by transitioning to virtual and distance-learning support, strengthening our relationships with schools, and maximizing our incredible bonds with youth.

We are proud to announce that Chief Operating Officer Maxine Wilson has been named the 2020 recipient of the Herman S. Prescott Award for the Pacific-West Region by Boys & Girls Clubs of America, for her work towards diversity, equality, and empowerment.

Matt Henry, Clubhouse Director of the Greater Visitacion Valley, recently caught up with 2020 Citywide Youth of the Year Kionna — a freshman at the University of California, Berkeley studying political science — to learn more about what the Club meant to her and why, as a young leader, Kionna is driven to speak up for meaningful change.

After nearly six years playing a critical role at Boeddeker Park in the Tenderloin, BGCSF will be leaving the park. We are pleased to announce that on October 1 the YMCA of San Francisco will step into the Master Tenant role that we played these past six years at Boeddeker Park.

BGCSF President Rob Connolly shares his thoughts on the leadership and activism shown by the NBA players and coaches in raising the discourse in America about racial and social justice.

A letter from BGCSF President Rob Connolly to supporters on how the Club is and will continue to be a critical beacon of hope for youth and families.

While the entire BGCSF family was saddened by the necessary decision to cancel summer camp in Mendocino, the BGCSF team immediately set about making plans to bring Camp Mendocino magic to our youth in the City and the Clubs. Find out how we're recreating the Camp spirit and community beyond the redwoods this summer!

Each year, we take time to celebrate staff members who have truly gone above and beyond for our youth and families. Check out some of our outstanding staff members who were recognized for our 2020 Staff of the Year Awards!

With COVID-19 school closures leading right into summer, the amount of time that kids are out of the classroom has doubled to five months. BGCSF is offering intense summer learning at eight locations, focusing on literacy and STEM programs, in order to counteract the effects of Summer Learning Loss and the COVID-19 Slide.

A letter from BGCSF President Rob Connolly to supporters.

We all have a responsibility as role models to speak out against systemic racism, promote understanding, and create a world that is smarter, stronger, and kinder. We encourage you to take action through these resources and to share them with others.

With no time to prepare or adjust, too many of our Club teens have found themselves overwhelmed by the impact of COVID-19. Citywide Director of High School Services Earl Declet shares what our High School Services Directors and mentors are doing to support youth during these challenging times.

“We’ve never seen anything like this,” says James Holley, Columbia Park Clubhouse Director and 17-year BGCSF veteran. For James and our Clubhouse staff, the story is one of adapting amid uncertainty and overcoming challenges to continue to serve San Francisco youth and families.

As we continue to undergo this period of sheltering in place, it can be increasingly difficult to maintain a healthy lifestyle for ourselves and our young people. Here are some tips from our teens and Citywide Director of Youth Leadership Programs, Tavi Baker, MPH, highlighting nutrition and physical activity resources to explore during these challenging times.

Volunteers have stepped up to address a critical need—making masks for BGCSF staff and youth! Many generous volunteers jumped quickly to respond to our request for masks to support essential services at our four open Clubhouses. Two such volunteers, a father and son team, share what motivated them, along with suggestions on how others can help, too!

As we adjust to a more prolonged period of social distancing and sheltering in place, the needs of our youth require ongoing attention. Here are some tips from Citywide Director of Behavioral Health Services Debby Machold, MA, MSW, LCSW, on how to help your child feel safe and manage their fears during these tumultuous times.

As a parent of three boys, an experienced teacher, and the Citywide Director of Education, Brian Sauer shares his thoughts and tips on managing school-at-home and how BGCSF's Virtual Clubhouse can help!

As parents and caregivers, we often juggle competing priorities, which can prevent us from prioritizing our well-being and can impair our ability to provide emotional support to our children. Check out these small but meaningful activities to contribute to your wellness and the wellness of your child.

BGCSF President Rob Connolly shares how the organization is serving youth and families as an essential business amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

During times of uncertainty, children look to the people they are closest to for direction and comfort. Here are a few tips to help parents and caregivers support their children during this time.

How does a neighborhood in one of the world’s most prosperous cities become almost entirely isolated and be allowed to suffer so much?

More than 300 BGCSF staff, youth, family members, and friends joined together for a day of service in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Participants took part in one of three activities planned by staff and youth leaders...

At Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF), we firmly believe that opportunities for lifelong success should be within easy reach of every child. Our programs focus on academic success, job readiness with earning potential, healthy lifestyles, and good character and community engagement.

In the past year, we’ve seen teens take the lead on important issues like climate change, gun control, and the dangers of vaping. Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF) recognizes the importance of encouraging “youth voice” as a tool to shape and drive change at the Clubs and in the community.

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