Key Elements of Youth Development
Boys and Girls Clubs are charged with deepening their impact on the young people they serve. Clubs do this by helping youth develop the attitudes, skills, values and behaviors that enable them to succeed in life. The level of impact a Club has on our young people depends on how often and how long members participate, as well as how well the Club implements five key elements. The key elements of youth development are:
» Safe, Positive Environment – Club staff, facilities, programs and age appropriate settings create stability, consistency and a sense of physical and emotional safety for members. The Club provides structure and clearly defines acceptable behavior.
» Fun – Clubs generate fun for members. Members develop a strong sense of belonging through connections they establish with staff and peers. Staff members make the Club feel like home, fostering a family atmosphere and creating a sense of ownership for members.
» Supportive Relationships – Club youth develop meaningful relationships with peers and adults. Staff members actively encourage such relationships. Staff members display warmth, caring, appreciation, acceptance
and guidance in their interactions with members.
» Opportunities and Expectations – Club youth acquire physical, social, technological, artistic and life skills.
Clubs encourage members and help members with school and post-secondary education.
» Recognition – Clubs recognize and support young people’s self-worth and accomplishments. Staff members encourage youth and provide positive reinforcement as they make improvements and experience successes.
The Club showcases young people’s achievements.
Youth Development Outcomes
Through frequent participation in programming that intentionally incorporates the Key Elements; young people become productive, caring, responsible citizens. The outcomes, expectations and goals for young people in our Clubs are:
» Positive Self–Identity – Youth set and attain goals and have a positive view of their future, confidently making the necessary decisions to achieve their life plans. They become self-sufficient and are able to support themselves and others.
» Health and Well–being – Youth adopt a healthy diet. They practice healthy lifestyle choices and make a lifelong commitment to fitness.
» Positive Values – Youth develop and demonstrate strong character and are guided by positive values including honesty, integrity, caring and fairness.
» Commitment to Learning – Youth value education and lifelong learning and make them an integral part of their future plans.
» Social Competency – Youth have positive relationships with family, friends and coworkers and appreciate cultural diversity.
» Community and Civic Involvement – Youth are engaged citizens of their community and the world.
Core Programs
Core Programs engage young people in activities with adults, peers and family members that enable them to reach their full potential. Based on the interests and needs of the boys and girls they serve, Clubs offer divers program activities in five areas:
1 Character and Leadership Development – Empower youth to become global citizens who support and influence their Club and community, sustain meaningful relationships with others, develop a positive self-image and good character and respect their won and others’ cultural identities.
2 Education and Career Development – Enable youth to become proficient in basic educational disciplines, set goals, explore careers, prepare for employment and embrace technology to achieve success in a career.
3 Health and Life Skills – Develop young people’s capacity to engage in positive behaviors that nurture their own well-being, set personal goals and live successfully as self-sufficient adults.
4 The Arts – Encourage youth to develop their creativity and cultural awareness through knowledge an appreciation of the visual arts, crafts, performing arts and creative writing.
5 Sports, Fitness and Recreation – Programs develop fitness, positive use of leisure time, skills for stress management, appreciation for the environment and social skills.
Youth Development Strategy
Club programs and services promote and enhance the development of boys and girls by instilling:
» A Sense of Competence – the feeling there is something boys and girls can do and do well.
» A Sense of Usefulness – the opportunity to do something of value for other people.
» A Sense of Belonging – a setting where young people know they “fit” and are accepted.
» A Sense of Power or Influence – a chance to be heard and to influence decisions.
When this strategy is fully implemented, self–esteem is enhanced and an environment is created which helps girls and boys achieve their full potential.
What Makes Clubs Unique?
» Clubs are neighborhood and building centered.
» Clubs provide a safe, affordable place for young people ages 6–18 during non-school hours and the summer.
» Clubs are led by paid, trained youth development professionals.
» Clubs provide varied and diversified program.
» Clubs are guidance oriented.
» Clubs require no proof of good character.
History of Boys and Girls Club of the Mississippi Valley
In June 1994 the Boys and Girls Club of the Mississippi Valley opened at 350 Third Street, Moline. This was the recommendation of the Chief of Police, Steve Etheridge, due to the high juvenile crime and gang activity in the Floreciente area. There were 60 Club members who attended that day. In December 1997 the Davenport Club opened at First Presbyterian Church, 1702 Iowa Street, Davenport. In September 2006 the Roosevelt Club opened at the Roosevelt Community Center, 1220 Minnie Avenue, Davenport. In September 2007 three school based sites opened in collaboration with Davenport Community Schools at Buchanan Elementary, Wood and Williams Intermediate.
Today
Today there are 1,500 members with 500 children attending Boys and Girls Club everyday. Of that total:
» 54% are male and 46% are female
» African American 27%
» Hispanic 29%
» Multi-racial 12%
» Caucasian 32%
