About BGCSM

OUR MISSION – OUR REASON FOR BEING:

To inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens.

So many children today, underprivileged and upper class, boys and girls of all races, turn to the streets, gangs, and crime because they do not have a positive role model in with to turn or are unsupervised during out-of-school time.  That is why the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maryland (BGCSM) is more important than ever!  Our screened and professionally trained staff and mentors are there when youth need us most.  We provide a positive and safe place for children ages 6 to 18 years old to learn and grow after school.

THE NEED FOR BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS:

• 60% of parents work outside of Southern Maryland.
• Maryland has the highest rate of alcohol use by 8th graders in the United States.
• Violent juvenile crime rates double all across the country when most schools let children out.
• Southern Maryland is mostly rural with limited supervised recreational areas for youth.
• On time graduation decreased from 95% to 81% in 2002.
• According to the Mott Foundation funded nationwide survey, 75% of adults believe after school programs have a major positive impact on violence and drug prevention.
• Many families use us for child care.  With a $25 annual registration and $15 weekly after school fee, we remain the least expense child care resource available to all families, regardless of need.