Boys & Girls Clubs of Hudson County

Operating in Jersey City since 1893 and in Hoboken since 1984, we serve thousands of youth, ages 5-21, each year in our sites.  We offer comprehensive and quality programming in three major age groups:

• Rising STARs (Science, Technology, Art and Reading for Kindergarten-3rd Grade)
• Middle School Program (4th-8th Grades)
• Teen Programs (High School)

Our philosophy is simple; by providing services to children at an early age and giving them encouragement and positive experiences, we offer a compelling alternative to youth crime, gang membership, drugs, and other negative influences that effect our youth today.  We give them the guidance they need to be successful adults and give back to their community.

Based on the emotional, social, educational, and physical needs and interests of youth, and recognizing developmental principles, our extensive after-school and summer programs cover five core areas:

Character and Leadership Development:  empowering youth to support and influence their community, sustain meaningful relationships with others, develop positive self-images, participate in the democratic process, and respect their own and other’s cultural identities. This includes our Keystone and Torch Leadership Clubs, Teen Civic Engagement and One Million Members/One Million Hours.

Education and Career Development: Education is our #1 priority at Boys & Girls Clubs of Hudson County. Through programs that enable youth to become proficient in basic educational disciplines, apply learning to everyday situations and embrace technology to achieve success in a career, the club helps children grow into the adults they envision themselves to be. Members participate in our Best Buy/Intel Teen Tech Center, Power Hour homework assistance, tutoring, Career Launch, Money Matters, Diplomas 2 Degrees, and SAT preparation.

Health and Life Skills: developing young people’s capacity to engage in positive behaviors that nurture their own well-being while teaching them to live as self-sufficient adults. Members participate in Healthy Habits,  S.M.A.R.T. Moves programs to heighten self-esteem and resistance to drug, alcohol and tobacco use, Date Smart, Passport to Manhood, UPS Road Code to promote safe driving, and gang prevention and conflict resolution workshops.

The Arts: enabling youth to develop their creativity and cultural awareness through knowledge and appreciation of the visual arts, crafts, performing arts, and creative writing. From puppetry to arts & crafts to video production and music, we offer members the opportunity to participate in creative endeavors.

Sports, Fitness and Recreation: facilitating physical fitness, positive use of leisure time, skills for stress management, appreciation for the environment, and social skills.  Youth may participate in organized league play, recreational activities, traveling sports teams, and Triple Play – to empower young people to make informed decisions about their physical, mental, and social well-being and improve their knowledge of healthy habits, good nutrition, and physical fitness.

We promote the development of young people by instilling in them a sense of confidence, responsibility, and belonging.  We are devoted to changing our community for the better by investing in Hudson County’s most valuable asset: our children.