Our Programs
Putting young people on the path to great futures.
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Education & Career
Learn MoreThese programs equip youth with the knowledge, skills, and resources to achieve academic success, explore diverse career paths, and build a strong foundation for future success. Through academic support, career exploration, and workforce readiness training, youth develop essential skills, gain valuable experience, and pursue their educational and professional goals.
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Leadership & Service
Learn MoreThese programs help youth become responsible, caring citizens and acquire skills to participate the democratic process. Program participants also develop leadership skills and gain opportunities for planning, decision-making, contributing to Club.
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Sports & Recreation
These programs promote physical activity, teamwork, and healthy lifestyles. Youth participate in a variety of sports and recreational activities, developing physical fitness, coordination, and sportsmanship.
Our Program Partners
Impact to Date
2,000+
youth served per year
6.6 months
is the average growth in reading level over 7 weeks of literacy programming
120
locally developed programs
Every Month
youth-grown produce from our Hydro-Wild Lab is distributed to Club member families and community
200,000+
free, healthy meals served to youth and local communities
91%
of Club members have access to a musical instrument
100+
families adopted by our Clubs to provide essentials, grocery gift cards, and holiday gifts
94%
of Club members feel confident solving math problems
What Sets Us Apart
Five key characteristics define the essence of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles. All are critical in providing a safe place that bridges the gap between school and home, where kids and teens can imagine, realize, and achieve their full potential.
Rich History
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles have a rich history of impact in underprivileged areas of Los Angeles County. For more than fifty years, our clubs have served a critical role in our communities; Bell Gardens - since 1960, Watts Willowbrook, and Challengers (South Los Angeles) - since 1968. In December 2015, in partnership with the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles and a school site at Jordan High School in collaboration with LAUSD, these individual clubs merged to compromise Boys & Girls Club of Metro Los Angeles as a scalable and sustainable solution to reversing the opportunity crisis.
Best-In Class-Programming
Whether the kids dream of becoming the next Anthony Anderson or John Singleton, Boys & Girls Club of Metro Los Angeles offer various programs designed to empower youth as our future leaders. Our goal is to open the doors to new experiences and support successful futures for children and teens by providing high-quality after-school programming in the arts, sports, and STEM. These programs help kids create aspirations for the future, build social and interpersonal skills, and provide opportunities for career exploration and educational enhancement.
Professional Caring Staff
At the heart of the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Los Angeles are the trained youth development professionals who serve as positive mentors and play an influential role in helping our youth navigate challenges and achieve their goals. The benefits of mentorship are all-encompassing. Having a caring adult role model in a child's life can help youth as they go through challenging life transformations.
Accessible and Affordable
Boys & Girls Club of Metro Los Angeles reach out to help kids who cannot afford or may lack access to other community programs. Our annual membership dues are $25 per year. In addition, we can provide financial support for membership to those families who need it most. While we remain affordable to all youth, we aim to deliver nationally recognized programs that equate to a value of $1000 per child.
Resources and Connections
At Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles, we gratefully acknowledge the generous support of the individuals, corporations, foundations, and government organizations such as St. John's Well Child & Family Center, Team Liquid, Los Angeles Lakers, Chargers and Rams, The Ballmer Foundation, Win Rhodes, Whittier Trust, SpaceX, Disney, Charles Schwab, KPMG, The Ahmanson Foundation, The Annenberg Foundation, USC, Gibson Dunn, LA84 Foundation, Support We Feed, and The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation.
Vision Forward
At BGCMLA, we are transitioning our focus from launching and setting the foundation, to driving all efforts around two critical priorities:
- Growth (expansion of more sites and programs)
- Sustainability (strengthened capacity and collaboration).
We are also establishing targets for youth outcomes to ensure that every child who attends a BGCMLA Club is equipped to succeed in school, work and life. This includes ensuring Club members are on-track to graduate, prepared for college or the 21st century workforce, have adopted a healthy lifestyle and are active agents of positive change in their communities.
Education & Career
College Bound Elementary/Middle School
An engaging course that introduces younger members to college and career possibilities, fostering early awareness of higher education. Designed to ignite curiosity about future educational pathways, this program empowers students with knowledge about the vast opportunities awaiting them.
- When: Weekly sessions throughout the school year
- Age Group: Elementary and Middle School students
Money Matters
This curriculum equips teens with essential financial literacy skills such as budgeting, saving, and investing, fostering financial independence from a young age. Tailored to help teens navigate the complexities of financial responsibility, the program prepares them for a stable economic future.
- When: Weekly sessions for a 10-week rotation
- Age Group: Teens aged 13-18
Money Smart
A foundational program that introduces elementary-aged children to basic financial concepts, promoting financial awareness and responsible money management. Through engaging activities, children learn the value of money and the basics of saving and spending wisely.
- When: Bi-weekly sessions
- Age Group: Grades K-6
Career Launch
This program prepares teens for the job market through practical skills training in resume writing, interview techniques, and effective job search strategies. It aims to bridge the gap between education and employment, ensuring readiness for the workforce.
- When: Weekly sessions
- Age Group: Teens aged 13-18
Power Hour
Provides structured time for homework help and tutoring, ensuring students from all school levels stay academically on track. This support is crucial in helping students achieve their educational goals and excel in their studies.
- When: Daily
- Age Group: All members
Exact Path
Utilizes a web-based platform to provide personalized learning in math, reading, and language arts, adapting to each student's pace and level. The program supports academic growth through tailored educational materials and assessments.
- When: Bi-weekly sessions
- Age Group: K - 5
Bolts Book Club
Providing youth with access to books and reading mentors, this program allows members to engage in reading at every level. Youths can discuss the stories they read and reflect on the various topics they cover in a safe space with peers and staff.
- Frequency: Bi-weekly sessions
Never Too Young
Introduces young students to the basics of economics and personal finance, preparing them to make informed financial decisions through engaging and interactive learning experiences. The program lays the groundwork for financial literacy at an early age.
- When: Weekly sessions
- Age Group: Grades 3-6
College and Career Bound for Teens
A program that guides and prepares teens for college through structured case management and daily academic support. This program includes personalized guidance, tutoring, mentoring, cultural enrichment, and mental health support, helping teens navigate their path towards successful college experiences and career readiness
- When: Weekly workshops and ongoing case management daily
- Age Group: High school aged members
Leadership & Service
Torch Club
Encourages younger members to develop leadership skills and community service ethics through small-group club activities. The program builds a foundation for civic engagement and responsible leadership among young participants.
- When: Weekly meetings
- Age Group: Ages 10-13
Keystone
Empowers teens to take leadership roles within their community, enhancing their skills through service projects, academic success, and career exploration. This program is a cornerstone for developing young leaders who are ready to make a positive impact in their communities.
- When: Weekly meetings
- Age Group: Ages 14-18
Youth for Unity
Promotes inclusivity and self-appreciation by engaging members in activities that celebrate diversity and personal identity. The program aims to build a supportive community environment where all members feel valued and understood.
- When: Weekly meetings
- Age Group: Ages 10-18
Youth of the Year
This is a premier recognition program for exemplary teens who demonstrate outstanding leadership, service to their community, academic excellence, and dedication to living a healthy lifestyle. The program celebrates these young leaders, offering them opportunities for scholarships and encouraging their voices on public platforms.
- When: Annual program starts end of fall and ends in early spring.
- Age Group: Ages 14-18
Journeys – Paths to Adulthood
Supports adolescents in their journey to adulthood by helping them reflect on their identity and develop life skills. The program offers workshops and activities that focus on personal development, emotional intelligence, and social skills.
- When: Bi-weekly sessions
- Age Group: Ages 13-18
Sports & Recreation
Triple Play: Healthy Habits
A comprehensive health and wellness initiative that strives to improve the overall health of members by increasing their daily physical activity, teaching them good nutrition, and helping them develop healthy relationships.
- When: Weekly sessions
- Age Group: All ages
Triple Play: Social Recreation
BGCA’s social-emotional learning curriculum builds skills in community building, tournament-style competitions, and team-building efforts for youth participating.
- When: Weekly sessions
- Age Group: All ages
SPARKs/Sports & Fitness
A curriculum dedicated to creating, implementing, and evaluating research-based programs that promote lifelong wellness.
- Frequency: Weekly sessions
- Age Group: All ages
Tennis Academy
A program where members practicing tennis are taught the basic fundamentals of the sport.
- Frequency: Weekly sessions
- Age Group: Ages 7-18
- Offered only at Challengers Clubhouse
STEM & Innovation
Local Initiatives: STEM
Inspires and prepares youth to explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through hands-on projects and experiments. The program encourages critical thinking and innovation, providing students with the skills needed to excel in these fields.
- When: Weekly sessions
- Age Group: Varies
Twobit Circus—Coding
Introduces coding fundamentals intertwined with social-emotional learning components aimed at building logical thinking and empathy. This unique approach to teaching coding helps students understand the impact of technology on society and fosters a balanced skill set.
- When: Weekly sessions for 10 weeks
- Age Group: Ages 10-15
Ultimate Journey
An environmental education program designed to help youth explore the wonders of nature and understand the importance of environmental stewardship. Through hands-on activities and outdoor adventures, members develop a deeper appreciation for the natural world while building key life skills like teamwork, problem-solving, and critical thinking.
- When: Weekly sessions
- Age Group: Ages 9-12
Music & Arts
Fender Play
A program where students learn important chords, understand the history of several genres, write essays, solve real-world math problems related to guitars, and learn digital recording techniques.
- When: Weekly sessions
- Age Group: Ages 10-18
Inner City Youth Orchestra Los Angeles (ICYOLA)
A partnership program that provides teachers to support members by providing them opportunities to learn and perform music.
- When: Weekly sessions
- Age Group: Ages 10-18
Art Expression
A program that enables Club youth to develop their creativity and cultural awareness through visual arts.
- When: Weekly sessions
- Age Group: Ages 6-18
Social Emotional Learning (SEL)
Colorful Journeys
An art workshop using art for transformation and healing.
- When: Weekly sessions
- Age Group: Varies by rotation (all ages served over the course of the year)
SMART Girls
A small-group health, fitness, prevention/education, and self-esteem enhancement program designed to meet the developmental needs of girls.
- When: Weekly sessions
- Age Group: Ages 8-18
Passport to Manhood
A program that promotes and teaches responsibility in Club boys ages 8-17.
- When: Weekly sessions
- Age Group: Ages 8-18
Calm Corners
Designated spaces in the club where youth can practice on de-escalation, communication, and relationship building with a case manager.
- When: As needed
- Age Group: All ages
Positive Action Pasela Digital Platform
A program helping young people discover their strengths and build a growth mindset.
- When: Weekly sessions
- Age Group: Ages 12-18
B.A STAR
A curriculum focused on social and emotional learning, giving youth the tools for effective learning, decision-making, creativity, relationships, and mental health.
- When: Weekly sessions
- Age Group: Ages 12-18
Peaceful Connections
A Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) program, Peaceful Connections, focuses on developing crucial emotional and psychological skills in youth. This program fosters resilience, empathy, and emotional regulation, helping participants navigate life's challenges effectively and peacefully.
- When: Weekly sessions
- Age Group: Ages 10+
Sitemap
Contact Us
Phone:
(213) 628-3673
Email:
info@bgcmla.org
Main Office:
5029 S. Vermont Ave,
Los Angeles, CA 90037
(inside Challengers Club)
Hours: 10 AM - 5 PM
