LEARNExpansion of Teen Programming for At-Risk Youth
BGCMLA fulfills its mission by offering nationally recognized, research-based programs, and activities in our L.E.A.D. After-School and Summer Program. We offer state-of-the-art STEM labs, music studios, art rooms, learning centers, and college and career preparation. Now, BGCMLA is expanding our teen programming at the Watts and Venice Club. We are hiring a Teen Coordinator, hiring additional music staff, launching new STEM programming, and expanding College and Career Bound programs to ensure that all our teens are prepared to succeed.
What is the primary issue area that your application will impact?
K-12 STEAM education
In what stage of innovation is this project, program, or initiative?
Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)
What is your understanding of the issue that you are seeking to address?
BGCMLA’s teen programs serve predominantly low-income Black and Latino youth ages 12 to 18 at the Watts and Venice Clubs and three school sites. Many of these youth are experiencing the effects of multi-generational poverty and exposure to trauma. The vast majority of students we serve will be first-generation college students with limited access to resources to help them plan for college and career. Finally, youth of color are more likely than white youth to have their adolescent development derailed by criminalization and arrest. Since 2015, a broad collaborative of youth and community leaders has been working together to develop a countywide model for Youth Diversion and Development (YDD) that would equitably reduce youth arrests and connect youth to community-based services. Two of the primary recommendations are connecting youth with mentors and creating spaces where youth and families can feel supported, access resources, build skills, express themselves, and have fun.
Describe the project, program, or initiative this grant will support to address the issue.
As part of the L.E.A.D. After-School program, which runs Monday – Friday from end-of-school to 6 pm during the school year, teens can participate in a variety of high-quality programs. Both Watts and Venice Clubs have fully equipped music and digital recording studios, where our Music Production program lets our youth work alongside a producer to develop skills as artists, producers, engineers, and film/TV composers. Teens can also launch a podcast and participate in a variety of music lessons at multiple levels. We want to build on our success to date by expanding our music and podcasting program. BGCMLA teen programs also incorporate support for social justice. Keystone helps teens gain valuable leadership and service experience through activities in academic success, career exploration, community service, and teen outreach. The Foley and Lardner Law Firm offer a six-week Street Law Program, which teaches teens the basics of law, so they can be empowered to solve problems and better their communities. We want to expand these programs to the Venice Club.
We also just launched the Best Buy Teen Tech Center at the Watts Club and are excited to see how this will help us provide more STEM and tech opportunities for our youth. Finally, College and Career Bound provides fun, interactive activities for teens to explore a broad range of careers, identify the skills and education needed for their particular career path, and prepare for college and post-secondary training.
Describe how Los Angeles County will be different if your work is successful.
During the grant period, we will expand the number of teens served to 600 across all sites. Outside of the specific outcomes we intend to measure, we want youth to participate in opportunities in arts, music, sports, and STEM that they could not otherwise access. We want to empower youth as our future leaders, build social and interpersonal skills, and provide opportunities for career exploration and educational enhancement.
Long-term, BGCMLA wants to expand to additional sites in the next three years, increase the number of teens served, and further strengthen our workforce development efforts, particularly for teens interested in the arts/entertainment industry. We also communicate with other Boys and Girls Clubs who are offering similar programs to further refine our program for maximum effectiveness.
Broadly speaking, our Clubs aspire to promote social justice, equity, and unity within our communities, serving as vital resource centers and support systems for our community members.
What evidence do you have that this project, program, or initiative is or will be successful, and how will you define and measure success?
The goal of our teen programs is to ensure that all Club members graduate from high school on time, ready for post-secondary education and/or a new career. We have set the following outcomes for our educational and STEM programs: · 95% of Teen Members will graduate high school with a plan for the future.
· 70% of members 6-12 will perform at grade level for reading and math.
The data so far shows that our programs work. The most recent NYOI survey showed the following positive outcomes for our members:
· 4 in 4 BGCMLA High School Seniors graduated on time with a plan for the future .
· 3 in 4 BGCMLA members 6-12 perform at or above grade level in math and reading.
· 4 in 5 BGCMLA members regularly engage in music + arts programming.
· 4 in 5 BGCMLA Youth say the club has improved their confidence + Self-Esteem.
· 7 in 8 BGCMLA members feel "safe" or "very safe" at the Club.
Approximately how many people will be impacted by this project, program, or initiative?
Direct Impact: 200.0
Indirect Impact: 1,000.0