The Boys & Girls Club of Carbondale is celebrating its 8thyear of service to thousands of children in this community. Our programs have reached a high level of quality, variety, and structure under Program Director, Tina Carpenter.  We increasingly emphasize the national BGCA focus on: 1) enhancing education, 2) strengthening character, and 3) promoting civic engagement.  

Our program structure features five core areas that constitute a broad, diverse, and engaging curriculum.  We specialize in science, reading, and art programs along with  increasing impact through our computer lab and audio/video recording studio. 
Sports, music, and special events.  This is what it takes to keep kids interested and engaged, especially as they become pre-teen and teenagers.  We have been instrumental in providing scholarships to teen leaders.
 
As our programs have matured, so has our staff.   In 2010 BGCC received national recognition through the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s “Family Strengthening Award” for five years of  “Family Vacation Night’ Programs which are offered free to
local families.  This October our Professional staff and one Board member presented a session at the BGCA National Midwest Leadership Conference on “Building Networks That Work.” One of our main strengths has been coalition building, community/university/ Club collaborations and volunteer development.  We do this by ensuring that all partners gain value
from their time and effort that help them realize their own missions—and grow in  the process.