THE BOYS' CLUB OF NEW YORK
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
The Boys’ Club of New York provides enriching and inclusive after school programming to boys and young men ages 7 – 21. Our open door policy ensures that any boy can join, no matter his zip code, immigration status or family’s income.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Aquatics
Each Clubhouse has a private indoor swimming pool accessible to all members. Our Aquatics programs include American Red Cross’ Learn-to-Swim program, which teaches members about swimming and water safety, a critical life skill, especially for growing children. Our goal is for 100% of our members to be able to swim by age 10.
In addition to Learn to Swim, BCNY members can join one of our nationally ranked, award winning swim teams and travel internationally to compete against other young men. BCNY also offers lifeguarding, a life-saving skill that also enhances our members’ resumes and makes them more competitive in today’s job market.
Art and Music
The Josie Robertson School of Music and Art encompasses visual, digital, and performing arts. BCNY offers private and group music instruction with professional musicians in state-of-the-art music studios. Boys can also explore drama and dance, and our art studios offer painting, sculpture, and digital and dark-room photography. In addition, boys can learn graphic animation, filmmaking, Photoshop, and music production in our media labs.
College & Career
BCNY strives to prepare members for post-secondary success, whether that is at college or at work. Our College Access Program (CAP) helps boys complete high school and encourages them to explore post-secondary education options. The Career Prep Program prepares members to be workforce-ready by placing members in clubhouse training programs, encouraging interview and resume development through workshops, career exploration, exposing members to external internships, and assisting members in securing paid employment.
Education
BCNY provides a wide array of academic support programs for boys of all ages with different learning styles. BCNY’s Education Department is focused on helping boys reach their full academic potential through homework help, tutoring, early literacy support (READ), science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM), and academic competitions and activities. The department is led by a director with support from highly qualified coordinators, tutors, and homework help staff. We also offer low or no-cost SSAT and SAT prep to all teen members. In addition to academic support, we have an High School Access program designed for preparation and assistance with the NYC high school application process.
Life Skills
Designed to instill positive character attributes and essential skill-sets, BCNY’s Game Rooms are the heart of our Life Skills programs. Communication, listening, decision-making, and leadership skills are central to game room programs, which provide hands-on experience for real life application. Game Room programs teach members about seasonality and locality of local foods as well as healthy ways to prepare well-balanced meals, what stress is and how to manage it through positive decision-making, and techniques that assist with self-awareness and self-control – skills necessary in all stages of development.
Physical Education Programs
Physical Education programs foster a sense of belonging, community, friendship, and positive relationships. Members learn the objectives and rules of games and sports from tag to flag football, and then progress to learning plays, techniques, and strategies. They also study what it means to be a team member on and off the field, learning teamwork, communication, focus, cooperation, endurance, and sportsmanship. In addition, members build self-confidence and self-esteem, gaining the ability to perceive value in themselves and others.
Where we work
External reviews
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Average daily attendance
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth, Adolescents, Young adults
Type of Metric
Other - describing something else
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of program sites
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Number of students showing interest in topics related to STEM
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Education
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
BCNY offers a variety of STEAM-based engagement, including: Robotics, 3D printing, Game Design, and Architecture
Number of students receiving homework help
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Education
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of participants engaged in programs
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
BCNY’s programming is specifically developed to cultivate positive qualities in our members. These characteristics, based on widely accepted principles of youth development, are known as BCNY’s 4Cs: competent, confident, character-rich, and connected. While all of our programs provide members with enrichment and growth opportunities, they are specifically designed to foster the development of the 4Cs, whether a boy is in the art studio, in the robotics lab, on the stage or on the court.
The goals for our program areas are as follows:
Academic Support & Enrichment: To build skills and support academic achievement and a love of learning, and to help members create a roadmap for the future.
Character Development & Life Skills: To develop life skills, character, leadership, and a healthy lifestyle for a successful transition into adulthood.
Visual & Performing Arts: To foster artistic skills, exposure, encourage self-expression and build confidence.
Mental & Physical Health: To learn to take care of their bodies and minds, practicing healthy living habits; To identify and support socio-emotional needs.
Sports & Recreation: To develop motor/fitness, cognitive and social skills through physical activities and sports, and to increase the likelihood of long-term physical activity.
Our vision is that all boys are competent academically and emotionally, connected to their communities, rich in character, and confident in their futures. In so doing, we aim to become a recognized leader in youth development programming for boys and young men, which is a growing field of interest in youth services and one in which we draw from longstanding experience.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Participation in out-of-school time (OST) programs can help close the achievement gap that our population faces through enriching activities and positive role modeling that encourage our members to engage with education. OST support is linked to significant academic gains, improvement in work habits and reductions in behavior problems, as well as higher rates of post-secondary degree attainment. We work towards our goals through a commitment to program quality, rigorous internal evaluation and continuous learning, results-focused management, and through effective and engagement wrap-around youth development services as follows:
Academic Support and Enrichment: We offer READ (early literacy instruction), High School Access (preparation for and assistance with NYC high school application process) project-based STEAM programs (including Robotics, Engineering, Natural Science, and Anatomy), Individual Tutoring, Homework Help, Recreational Academic Clubs and Competitions (robotics, spelling, math, STEAM), and College Access.
Character Development and Life Skills: BCNY offers a roster of programs with a focus on character and leadership, including Youth Council (a member-run governance program), Group Clubs, Thrive (Character and Asset Building), and Recreational Games (board games, pool, foosball, Lego, video games). A Work Progress Program funded by the NYC Human Resources Administration has furthered our ability to provide vocational experience and support to our teen members. Other opportunities to gain work experience include our Project Coach program, in which older members mentor and work with younger members in coaching or tutoring roles.
Music, Visual and Performing Arts: In our state-of-the-art music studios, professional musicians offer individual and group lessons in Bass, Voice, Clarinet, Drums, Flute, Guitar, Piano, Saxophone, Vibraphone, Violin, and Ukulele. Visual and performing arts programs include Painting, Drawing, Print-making, Graphic Design, and Dance.
Mental and Physical Health: Programs that promote a healthy lifestyle include individual and group counseling and therapy, yoga, martial arts, American Red Cross Learn to Swim, Project Lifeguard (lifeguard training), Street Wise (emphasizing healthy choices for older youth), Chef It Up (team cooking competitions) and Fitness & Weight Training.
Sports and Recreation: We offer intramural and representative sports (Basketball, Baseball, Football, Rugby, Track), Mini Sports (Hoops, Kicks, and Sticks for younger members), Water Polo, Swim Team, Table and Video Games, and day and overnight trips to BCNY's camp in upstate New York.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
As one of the nations' oldest youth development organizations, BCNY has unique expertise in the area of male youth development. We operate in three clubhouses across NYC and camp in upstate New York. Our clubhouses feature swimming pools, athletic, arts, and academic facilities in historically marginalized areas. BCNY is unique in offering comprehensive character development and life skills, academic support, visual and performing arts, physical and mental health, and sports and recreation programming under one roof. Our wrap-around services and focus on boys allows us to target activities toward and support the specific needs of young men, in ways that co-ed programs and school-day activities do not.
We employ 59 full-time staff, 141 part-time staff, and attracted more than 140 volunteers in the last year. Through results-focused management and a commitment to professional development, our staff and volunteers are supported to implement high-quality, effective programs.
Our Board is one of the organization's greatest strengths, thanks to their engagement, expertise, and resources. BCNY's Board of Trustees represents many historical connections to the organization, including ties to our founder, and four Trustees, including the Board Chairman, are BCNY alumni. Our Board is comprised of 37 members. BCNY's Board provides substantial financial and leadership support, as well as the continuity that a 143-year-old, endowed non-profit organization requires. The Board provides critical fundraising support and is actively involved in our Special Events. Our Trustees play an active role in cultivating and supporting foundation relationships. Combined with the support of our long-term funders, the significant revenue from our special events, and the interest draw from our endowment, we support an operating budget of more than $10 million per year.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
The past year was marked by innovative program development, robust program evaluation initiatives, strategic planning, and vigorous curriculum development throughout the organization. Among the milestones that indicate we have set a successful path are the following program results from 2019:
Participation in our academic programs was high, and end-of-program results were positive. Of 44 participants in READ, our early literacy program, 80 percent made a gain of at least one grade level-equivalency, and 72 percent of participants are now reading at or above grade level.
Teens prepared for the transition to adulthood through programs that built skills and confidence, and encouraged planning. Of the 479 High School Access participants in 2019, 97% were accepted into one of their top 3 choices of high school. 100% of members that chose Private and Charter schools went immediately to college after graduating from high school last year. Half of our Work Progress Program participants gained their first job experience, and more than half were successfully placed in internships, training programs or jobs.
Through enrichment activities ranging from visual and performing art to sports and recreation, and healthy living activities including physical and mental health programs, members developed skills, expressed themselves, and gained healthy habits. Across our clubhouses, 430 music students took ten-week music courses, and over half showed growth in music skills (such as rhythm, sight-reading, and tone). 709 members participated in Learn to Swim and 83 percent of participants advanced by at least one American Red Cross certified level.
90 members participated in our Culinary Kids (Explorers/Juniors) and Chef it Up (Teens) "battle chef" program, and the culminating “battle" was a well-attended demonstration of the pride and engagement members experienced as they learned to cook nutritious, seasonal food.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We take steps to get feedback from marginalized or under-represented people, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on demographics (e.g., race, age, gender, etc.), We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive, We share the feedback we received with the people we serve, We tell the people who gave us feedback how we acted on their feedback, We ask the people who gave us feedback how well they think we responded
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
We don't have any major challenges to collecting feedback
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
THE BOYS' CLUB OF NEW YORK
Board of directorsas of 11/01/2023
Mr. William Tyree
Brown Brothers Harriman
Term: 2016 -
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
No data
Gender identity
No data
Transgender Identity
No data
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data
Equity strategies
Last updated: 11/01/2023GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We review compensation data across the organization (and by staff levels) to identify disparities by race.
- We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and / or portfolios.
- We analyze disaggregated data and root causes of race disparities that impact the organization's programs, portfolios, and the populations served.
- We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support.
- We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
- We disaggregate data by demographics, including race, in every policy and program measured.
- We have a promotion process that anticipates and mitigates implicit and explicit biases about people of color serving in leadership positions.
- We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
- We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.
- We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.