At the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Flint, creating pathways for youth success is more than a mission; it’s a movement. The organization is a trusted space for youth and families, providing mentorship, meals, mental health resources, and access to leadership development in a city where opportunity has not always been equally distributed.
Empowering Youth Beyond the Clubhouse
The Club serves as a vital hub for youth in Flint, empowering young people to reach their full potential as “caring, productive and responsible citizens.” But what makes the Greater Flint chapter unique is its commitment to addressing not only the immediate needs of youth, but also the systemic gaps that impact their growth and wellbeing.
“The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Flint makes a unique effort to support young people by going above and beyond our mission to identify gaps that may exist for our families and their youth,” shared Nolan Henson, the Club’s Grants Manager.
From food and mental health support to enrichment programs and career exposure, the Club understands that empowering youth means supporting their entire ecosystem including families, schools, and neighborhoods.
Through their afterschool and summer programs, which include free meals and snacks via the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan, youth receive reliable nutrition so they can focus on learning. Mental health programs, led by licensed counselors from Mott Children’s Health Center, offer mindfulness exercises, stress-relief techniques, and family mental health sessions.
The Club also offers hands-on learning programs that introduce members to new and exciting interests, including gardening, music and arts, a newly introduced STEM lab, and sports and fitness resources.
The Power of Leadership and Exposure
Leadership development is a central focus of the Club’s programming. The Youth of the Year program exemplify this effort by fostering positive peer interactions, nurturing leadership skills and communication, and recognizing a young person who embodies good character, academic excellence, and a healthy lifestyle. This prestigious recognition also connects participants to regional and national events with scholarship opportunities.
Beyond Youth of the Year, the Club offers a variety of teen-specific programs that further support leadership development and personal growth. Through the Junior Staff program, teens are prepared for careers in youth and human services. The Keystone Club gives youth the opportunity to strengthen their decision-making skills through service and leadership. TeenQuest provides pre-employment and leadership training, while HERO Girls and Boys help teens build life skills and make positive choices. Additionally, Study Tables offer tutoring and homework support to ensure academic success.
“The Song Foundation grant allows the Club to expose youth to emerging opportunities, helping them explore their interests and try things they’ve never experienced before,” said Henson.
Programs like these give young people the tools to become leaders. As Henson put it, “It’s important for Flint teens to have access to leadership development opportunities like this because they are our leaders of today.”
Looking Ahead: Non-Traditional Growth
The Club’s future is rooted in growth by focusing on expanding access in creative, flexible ways.
“We are focused on reaching youth in non-traditional ways who might otherwise not have access to the Club,” said Henson. “We have somewhere around 10,000 youth in our community, and we want to ensure all youth have access to programs like ours.”
That includes expanding through pop-up opportunities, school partnerships, and community outreach which aim to bring programming directly to youth where they are. It’s a powerful example of what it means to be a responsive, equity-driven youth organization.