After-school programs create a fun, safe, and educational outlet in areas that need it most

By Jude McGee

Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) operates nationwide, providing after-school programs that benefit young people. According to the organization, 92% of Club teens expect to graduate from high school, and 81% expect to complete some form of postsecondary education. At the local level, individual locations tailor their programming to meet the needs of their communities. Arizona’s four-year graduation rate is 77.5%, according to Education Forward Arizona. 

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley (BGCAZ) operates a location in Kingman, Arizona, a small town with a population of slightly over 35,000, located in Northwest Arizona, just east of the Nevada border. According to Liz Byrne, Vice President of Regional Impact for BGCAZ, the community comprises a diverse blend of demographics. “The parents work in many different fields,” Byrne said. “We have a mix of working professionals, and we’re the only major after-school program in town.” 

Following the relocation of a previous Kingman Boys & Girls Club, the current Club opened in February 2025, when Kingman community members reached out to BGCAZ leadership to revive it. 

“Kingman Unified School District (KUSD) had been offering programming on-site, but they didn't have the bandwidth to provide it in full for all of the kids in Kingman.” Byrne said, “So that's where we stepped in. The school district continues to be an amazing partner to us, assisting with our food program and busing all KUSD schools to the Club. We are very grateful for their support.”

Byrne estimated that the facility sees between 150 and 175 participants per day, ages 5-18. They offer access to technology, fine arts, and athletic programming. The Club aims to expand as it reaches capacity and plans to introduce teen leadership initiatives in the future. 

“The need in Kingman was a safe, productive space with enrichment programs,” Byrne said. “An elevated opportunity. And the community has been very receptive and appreciative that we’re able to provide that.”

Boys & Girls Clubs in Arizona strive to reach underserved communities that need them most. 50 miles northeast of Kingman is the census-designated community of Peach Springs. Situated on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon within the Hualapai Nation, the area has a population of under 1,200 residents. According to Census Reporter, 50% of its residents live below the poverty line. 

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale (BGCS) has nine locations, serving areas in Scottsdale, Phoenix, Fountain Hills, the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, and the Hualapai Nation in Peach Springs.

A collaboration between BGCS and the Hualapai Tribe in 2006 allowed the branch to open its doors to youth and teens in the community, ages 5-18. Ivan Gilreath, a former Club kid himself, now serves as president and CEO of BGCS. According to him, the collaboration enables the Club to tailor its programming to meet community needs. 

Peach Springs is a rural area, with the closest town being Kingman, 50 miles southwest. As a result, residents commonly face transportation challenges. The BGC in Peach Springs is also proud to offer transportation to and from the facility for participants. Although transportation is not widely provided by BGCs, the Peach Springs Club decided to do so because of the uptick in participation it enables, as they found that transportation was the most significant factor in young people choosing not to attend the Club. “We eliminated that barrier,” said Gilreath. “And that allowed us to deliver these programs to every kid who may need it.” 

“We cover topics like fitness and health, workforce readiness, and educate the kids about their futures beyond high school,” Gilreath said. The facility also teaches literacy, art, and science, utilizing innovative methods to create a fun and educational environment. The Club’s Makerspace, equipped with 3D printers, allows the Club to teach young people about various facets of technology while making it creative and enjoyable. 

Elizabeth Muncal, chief development officer for BGCS, explained the modern methodology for learning: “If you tell the kids they’re going to learn about art history, they may not be interested. But we do a program where we put papers underneath the table and have them paint while lying down, and that’s a pretty exciting way to learn about the Sistine Chapel.” 

Boys & Girls Clubs in Arizona address fundamental needs for youth across the state. Starting with a safe place to go after school, they also work to create learning opportunities for a new generation of minds and talents.

“As the challenges facing young people continue to evolve,” Gilreath said, “we offer real relationships with caring adults and peers, away from screens and online pressures, while developing resilience, confidence, and strong communication skills. Together with our community, we are helping shape the next generation of confident leaders."

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For more information on Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale, visit https://bgcs.org/ 

For more information on Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley, visit https://www.bgcaz.org/ 

Image via BGCAZ