Education & Career Development
One goal of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis is to enable youth to be proficient in basic educational disciplines, to be able to apply learning to everyday situations and to embrace technology to optimize employability.
We do this through a number of initiatives, including an all-encompassing program called Project Learn. Studies have shown this program can raise GPAs by 15% when delivered effectively.
CLUBService
This program, the result of a partnership between Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the Corporation for National Service (AmeriCorps), provides education awards to Club members ages 17 and 18 and Club alumni ages 19 through 24 who serve their Clubs and communities. CLUBService recognizes young people's service, helps them access higher education opportunities and encourages them to pursue future careers as Club professionals.
Computer Training/Labs
The computer training programs give all of our members access to computers and a knowledge of computer technology. The program teaches skills such as:
- Basic Skills
- Intermediate Skills
- Advanced Computer Multimedia
- Skill Tech: Developed by Boys & Girls Clubs of America with funding from Microsoft, Skill Tech is designed to familiarize Club members ages 7 though 17 with technology—particularly the use of computers and the basic skills that are increasingly necessary to excel in school and the workplace—and to enrich and organize personal lives. Skill Tech training includes word processing, spreadsheets, database, PowerPoint and the Internet
- Desktop Publishing
- Net Smartz: A comprehensive program from BGCA and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, Net Smartz teaches members Internet safety skills through engaging multimedia activities and offline interaction with Club professionals
Job Ready!
Job Ready! is a comprehensive program that teaches young people ages 16 to 18 effective job-hunting techniques and helps them develop the skills necessary to be successful once on the job. Between 2006 and 2009, more than 650 teens have been gainfully employed through our Job Ready Program. Compared to regional averages, club members show drastic improvement in critical life choices, resulting in:
- 22% reduction of drug involvement
- 50% reduction in teen pregnancies
Project Learn
Project Learn reinforces and enhances the skills and knowledge young people learn at school through "high-yield" learning activities at the Club and in the home. Those activities include leisure reading, writing activities, homework help and games like Scrabble®, which develop young people's cognitive skills. Emphasizing collaborations between Club staff, parents and school personnel, Project Learn is based on Dr. Reginald Clark's research that shows that fun but academically beneficial activities increase academic performance. Formally evaluated by Columbia University, Project Learn has been proven to boost the academic performance of Club members.
Power Hour
A comprehensive homework help and tutoring program, Power Hour is designed to raise the academic proficiency of Club members.
Tutoring
After-school tutoring is available to all Club members ages 6 through 18.?
1-Day Annual Program Events
Annual Black History Quiz Bowl
Annual Spelling Bee