Homework help and tutoring program that helps club members be more successful in school by encouraging members to become self directed learners.  Club members receive Power points for their participation in this program.

 

Reinforces and enhances the skills and knowledge young people learn at school during the hours they spend at the Club.  The program is based on Dr. Reginald Clark's research showing that students do much better in school when they spend their non-school hours engaged in fun, but academically beneficial activities.  Through Project Learn, Club staff use all the areas and programs in the Club to create opportunities for these "high-yield learning activities," which include leisure reading, writing activities, discussion with knowledgeable adults, helping others, homework help and tutoring and games like Scrabble that develop young people's cognitive skills.  Project Learn also emphasizes parent involvement and collaboration between Club staff and school personnel as critical factors in creating the best after-school learning environment for Club members.

 

A small group leadership services club for boys & girls ages 14-18. Keystoners elect officers and plan and implement their own activities in six areas: service to the Club and the community, leadership development, education, unity, free enterprise, and social recreation.

 

A chartered small-group leadership and service club for boys & girls ages 11-13.  A Torch is a powerful vehicle through which Club staff can help meet the special needs of younger adolescents at a critical stage in their development.  Torch Club members learn to elect officers and work together to plan and implement activities in four areas: service to Club community, education, health and fitness and social recreation.

 

Boys & Girls Club of America's premier youth recognition program promotes and celebrates Club members' service to the Club, community and family; academic performance; spiritual values; life goals and poise and public speaking ability.  The Boys & Girls Club of Alton Youth of the Year receives a $1,000 scholarship locally.  The local Youth of the Year then participates in state competition.  Illinois Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs provides the state winner with a $5,000 scholarship, along with the $1,000 provided by Reader's Digest.  State winners then move on to participate in regional competition.  Five regional winners each receive a $2,000 scholarship and compete on the national level.  The National Youth of the Year receives an additional $8,000 scholarship and is installed by the President of the United States.

 

 

Nationally acclaimed comprehensive prevention program helps young people resist alcohol, tobacco and other drug use, as well as premature sexual activity.  The program features engaging, interactive small group activities designed to increase participants' peer support, enhance their life skills, build their resiliency and strengthen their leadership skills.  This year-round program encourages collaboration among Club staff, youth, parents and representatives from other community organizations.  The program components include: SMART Kids, for children ages 6-9, Start SMART, for youth ages 10-12, Stay SMART, for youth ages 13-15 and SMART Parents, for parents of Club members participating in SMART Moves.

 

A health, fitness, prevention/education and self-esteem enhancement program for girls ages 10-15.  The program is designed to encourage healthy attitudes and lifestyles that will enable early adolescent girls to develop to their full potential.

 

A safety awareness program designed to help Club members ages 8-10 develop the personal safety habits and practical skills needed to be safe at the Club, at home and in the neighborhood.  The program offers interactive approaches to build Club members' crime prevention and personal safety skills through role-playing, games and other participatory activities.

 

Street SMART counteracts the negative lures of gangs, violence and "street" influences on young adolescents ages 11-13.  While building awareness and resistance skills, participants develop the confidence and knowledge to make intelligent choices.  Street SMART's three modules teach young people how gangs work and how to resist being recruited, how to recognize and resolve conflicts peacefully and how to become positive peer helpers.  Participants reinforce what they have learned and share it with others by organizing community events that promote the positive message of street SMART.