Character & Leadership Development
Character & Leadership Development

CB&GCW is working today to create the leaders of tomorrow. Club youth participate in a variety of character and leadership development programs which seek to guide youth to make socially responsible and proactive decisions. Character & Leadership Development programming includes:

Torch Club
This small-group leadership development program, sponsored by Staples, is targeted to youth ages 11 to 13. Within some 1300 Torch Clubs across the country, members elect officers and plan and implement their own activities and community service projects. Each Torch Club receives an official charter from Boys & Girls Clubs of America. This club is directed by Brandon Thompson; contact him if you're interested in participating.

Keystone Clubs
Keystone Clubs are chartered small group leadership development clubs for young people ages 14 to 18. Keystoners elect officers, choose their own activities and plan and implement community service projects. A national charter entitles a Keystone Club to participate in regional and national Keystone conferences. This teen leadership program is funded by the Taco Bell Foundation. This club is directed by Kathleen Ludeman;contact her if you're interested in participating.

Youth of the Year
Sponsored by the Reader's Digest Foundation, the National Youth of the Year Program is designed to promote and recognize service to Club and community, academic performance and contributions to family and spiritual life. Competition begins with each Club selecting a Youth of the Year who receives a certificate and medallion then enters state competition. State winners receive a plaque and $1,000 scholarship then enter the regional competition. Each of the five regional winners receives a $10,000 scholarship and enters the national competition held in Washington, DC. The National Youth of the Year receives an additional $15,000 scholarship, totaling $26,000 in scholarships, and is installed by the President of the United States. Last year's Community Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year was Jennifer Lofton.

Junior Staff: Cultivating Tomorrow's Club Professionals Today
Junior Staff is a program that assists Club members ages 13 to 18 explore a career in youth or human services, particularly Boys & Girls Club work. Young people prepare for future roles as human services professionals by participating in career development activities, discovering the importance of community service, building customer service skills and completing a Club apprenticeship. Members of CB&GCW take over the roles of our directors, managers, and other staff members once a week, which teaches them about the way their Club works.