At Boys & Girls Clubs of Topeka
"Great Futures Start Here"
"To enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens"
"We believe every kid has what it takes. The mission and core beliefs of Boys & Girls Clubs fuel our commitment to promoting safe, positive and inclusive environments for all. Boys & Girls Clubs of America supports all youth and teens - of every race, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, ability, socio-economic status, and religion - in reaching their full potential."
Three Priority Outcomes:
Academic Success - Healthy Lifestyles - Good Character & Citizenship
38% of Kansas counties are without child care centers (Kansas Action for Children Voter Guide 2020)
8.4 million K-12 children (15%) participate in afterschool programs (America After 3 PM, 2009)
The hours between 3p.m. and 6p.m. are the peak hours for juvenile crime and experimentation with drugs, alcohol, cigarettes and other inappropriate activities (Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, 2003)
Teens who do not participate in afterschool programs are nearly three times more likely to skip classes than teens who do participate and are also three times more likely to use marijuana or other drugs, and are more likely to drink, smoke and engage in inappropriate activity (YMCA of the USA, 2001)
Parents miss an average of five days of work per year due to a lack of afterschool care (Catalyst & Brandeis University, 2006)
154,871 is the number of Kansas Children under the age of 6 years of age potentially needing care
89% of Club youth said they can stand up for what is right!
91% of Club youth reported that as a leader, they make sure everyone feels important.
In 2019, Boys & Girls Clubs of Topeka served over 2,600 Club members
52% qualified for free or reduced-price school lunch
45% lived in single-parent households
88% were ages 12 and younger
42% were minority races or ethnicities
Click Here for the full 2019 Impact Report
14 Club site locations in and around Topeka
We added a site in 2020 through Sunrise Optimist Club
208 adult staff
969 volunteers
11,126 youth served through Community Outreach
OUR HISTORY
Boys & Girls Clubs of Topeka was established in 1956 to serve boys of every cultural background between the ages of 7 and 19. These services were held in the Washington School until a capital campaign was conducted in the late 1960’s to build the current Adams Club site at 27th and Adams. The due diligence and dedication of founding members like Robert Brock and Ned Fleming ensured that the children, both boys and girls, would have a safe place to go for help with academics, athletics and good citizenship.
Their hard work and dedication continues today in our before/after school, school days out, and summer programming where community children can come and have vested, caring adults interact with them, helping them with homework or tutoring, provide them with role models, learning opportunities and experiences they would be otherwise denied for lack of economic and social opportunities.