Boys & Girls Club of Stanton

The mission of Boys & Girls Club of Stanton is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.

The Boys & Girls Club of Stanton fills the gap between school and home for every youth that walks through our doors. Our Club provides a welcoming, positive environment in which youth and teens have fun, participate in life-changing programs and build supportive relationships with peers and caring adults.

Founded in 1975, the Boys & Girls Club of Stanton provides a range of enrichment, recreation, academic, college/career-readiness, character-development and social programs for children and youth, ages 6 to 18 from low-income families and disadvantaged conditions. Each year, the Club engages approximately 2,500 youth from Stanton and the surrounding area through year-round programs that build confidence, self-esteem and hope for brighter futures.    

Since our founding, our Club has focused on students who are disadvantaged and do not have the same opportunities as other students from more affluent communities. In 2016, we served 761 members individuals through programs including arts and crafts; our Kids Café (a free nutritional program); the Teen Center; SMART Moves (exposes youth to positive influences); the Learning Center; athletics, health and fitness classes. We also provide 2,500 youth with Saturday Academy from one of our local school districts and outside special events in the city. The Club is open Monday through Friday, after school from 1 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.  

Other programs and events provided by the Club:
· College Bound (teens research all about a college of their choosing; followed by a pizza party)
· “Lights on Afterschool” event for the families of members (includes games and dinner)
· SMART Moves teaches kids and teens how to establish positive relationships and healthy habits
· Brain Gain – a national reading program to keep members on track during the summer
· Field trips, summer program, choir
· Kids Café (free meal program)
· Sports programs and leagues

In a recent survey administrated by the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the Boys & Girls Club of Stanton scored higher than the national average in the following areas:
· Emotional support
· Expectations
· Not skipping school
· College expectation
· Conflict resolution skills
· Abstaining from drinking
· Abstaining from smoking

We are a relatively small Club -- in terms of the size of our operating budget -- we make a big impact on the lives of children and young people who each day face obstacles forged by poverty. Our Club is a bright light in an area of Orange County where there is a lack of resources and opportunity for youth.  

The most important changes that were made last year were in the lives of the children and teens whom we serve. Thanks to valued supporters, the Boys & Girls Club of Stanton was able to serve a total of 3,121 low-income, at-risk youth during 2023 (721 youth members and 2,400 youth served through community outreach programs).  That equals 3,121 children and teens who were able to experience a range of unique activities, enrichment, sports, arts, music, field trips and opportunities to expand their horizons.

Living in an urban environment such as Stanton and the surrounding areas, children often only see the world through television and other electronics. Through our Club's programs, children see their value, their unique talents, and they even gain a glimpse into future possibilities. As we delivered programs and services to children and youth, we were also able to make several capital improvements in the facility.  And we developed new relationships with school districts that will allow us to serve additional youth. Our goals for the current year are to sustain our current program and to recruit and retain more teens from underserved areas of our community.  

We serve children and youth who are disadvantaged by numerous challenges within the City of Stanton and the surrounding area:

1. The proliferation of gangs -- gang membership leads Stanton’s crime statistics, and more serious and violent offenses are at a rate several times higher than non-gang individuals (Crime Analysis Unit of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department).
2. Lack of parent or family education -- since many parents have not attended high school, or in some cases, finished elementary school, they are unable to help with homework.
3. Poverty -- only 3.1 square miles, Stanton ranks as one of the poorest cities in Orange County (US Census, local school districts). More than 80% of Stanton children and youth qualify for the free and reduced lunch program (Employment Development Department, Department of Labor, US Census, local school districts, City of Stanton and Redevelopment Agency, 2022).
4. Language barriers -- most Stanton parents speak a language other than English at home. Stanton is an ethnically diverse community: 50% Hispanic, 30% Caucasian, 14% Asian, 3% African American and 3% other. 

Our greatest need is for funding to provide membership scholarships and transportation scholarships. Although our annual membership fee of $20 is the lowest of all Boys & Girls Club organizations in Orange County, it is still a barrier to some of our low-income families. We do not want even low fees to keep a child from benefiting from our programs and thus we make scholarships available. Indeed, 60% of our members receive a scholarship to participate in Club programs. Our annual need is for $25,000 to sustain the cost of membership and transportation scholarships (free bus pickup service school to our club and our early morning care).  

Stanton, Anaheim, Garden Grove, Cypress, Buena Park and Westminster.

These actual quotes tell our story: “I am a disabled father raising my four sons alone. I moved here from Nevada seven months ago, not knowing what I was going to do with my sons who all needed help with their school homework. When I was at the Back to School Night, I met two of the Boys & Girls Club of Stanton staff and they told me about the Club and this free transportation program being offered by the school. The next day I was there for their Parent & Child Orientation and signed up all four boys and the following day they received their bus passes. I don’t know what I would do without the Club. Not only homework assistance but a free meal every afternoon, too.” -- Parent of Julian, Tristan, Kyle & Elisha 

“The partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Stanton and the bus transportation is working so well that we would like to provide this same type of service to another one of our schools this next school year.” -- Mr. Murillo, Director of Student Services & Special Education, Savanna School District 

“Hi, my name is Jalen and I have a sister named Jordan and we live with our grandmother. This year I received the first-ever trophy called Been GREAT. Each year, the Club has a big event that honors Club members for their participation throughout the Club. It is called Youth of the Year. I was told by the Unit Director that each department staff picks one name each month and that my name kept coming up. He told me it was because I participate in all of the departments from the Gym to Kids Café to Learning Center to Gamesroom and more. I love my trophy and I love coming to the Club where all the staff care about me.”

Mother of Alfredo, age 12, tells the Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club of Stanton who inquired how her boy likes it at the Club: “Oh! my boy loves it here. I get off work at 3 pm and I could be here at 3:30, BUT Alfredo tells me not to pick him up until 5:30 pm…because of basketball leadership camp (In the basketball leadership camp, older boy members participate in the gym twice a week. With basketball as a connection, they become leaders to younger boys).”  

Message from the President of the Board of Directors:  

"I am excited and honored to serve as President of the Boys & Girls Club of Stanton Board of Directors, and I look forward to working closely with our outstanding Executive Director, staff and board as we continue to provide quality, life-enriching programs for the children of our community. 2022 ended with our fun-filled Harvest Festival, which was our major fundraiser of the year.  In addition to enjoying the silent and live auctions and a wonderful dinner, we were treated to a special performance by our club’s talented choir.  Choir is just one of the many programs and activities that our kids can get involved in at the club, programs that are not only fun, but also educational and worthwhile. It is through the generosity of friends like you that we are able to continue providing these sorts of activities for local children.  Be on the lookout for more information throughout the year about our fundraisers and other ways that you can assist us in our goal to continue to make our Club "Be GREAT!”   Thank you for your continued support of the Boys & Girls Club of Stanton.  With friends like you, I am certain that we can make 2018 a year to remember for the young people of our community."   

Best,
Brian Donahue, Boys & Girls Club of Stanton Board President