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Education and Career Development

These programs help youth create aspirations for the future, providing opportunities for career exploration and educational enhancement.

Money Matters: Make It Count
Created with the Charles Schwab Foundation, this financial literacy program was designed specifically to help teens (ages 13-18) expand their knowledge of money management and learn the skills that lead to financial independence and well-being. The Money Matters: Make It Count program consists of five components: Teen Personal Finance Guide, Program Facilitator’s Guide, Money Matters Web site, Schwab eEmployee Volunteer Program and the Money Matters Awards. Via the volunteer component, Schwab employees can pass financial expertise to Club teens through their volunteer involvement. 

Project Learn
Project Learn reinforces and enhances the skills and knowledge young people learn at school through "high-yield" learning activities at the Club and in the home. Based on Dr. Reginald Clark's research that shows fun, but academically beneficial activities increase academic performance, these activities include leisure reading, writing activities, homework help and games like Scrabble® which develop young people's cognitive skills. Project Learn emphasizes collaborations between Club staff, parents and school personnel. Formally evaluated by Columbia University, Project Learn has been proven to boost the academic performance of Club members. 


Power Hour is a comprehensive homework help and tutoring program, POWER HOUR is designed to raise the academic proficiency of Club members ages 6-12. POWER HOUR is sponsored by the Santa Cruz County Community Foundation and the United Way of Santa Cruz County, and in part by The JCPenney Afterschool Fund.


G
oals for Graduation, sponsored by The JCPenney Afterschool Fund, introduces Club members ages 6-15 to the concept of academic goal setting. In one-on-one sessions with Club professionals, members set achievable "Know-I-Can" goals, more challenging "Think-I-Can" goals and yearly "Believe-I-Can" goals, then create action plans. The program provides for recognition of members' achievements at every step of the journey. 

Ultimate Journey
This internationally recognized, award-winning program leads Club members ages 6-12 on a fun-filled journey into the amazing world of plants and animals. The Ultimate Journey motivates young people to develop an understanding of and sensitivity to the environment, helping them build the knowledge and motivation to protect our natural resources.

Goals For Growth
This program teaches young people ages 8-12 skills for setting and achieving their own personal, education and career goals. The Goals for Growth program is sponsored by Best Buy Children's Foundation.


CareerLaunch™ is a career exploration and mentoring program for teens ages 13-18. This program includes the CareerLaunch Web site that allows teens to take an interest survey, explore careers, identify training or college requirements, seek out financial aid and play skills-building games. There's also an easy-to-use Career Exploration Quick Reference Guide with a broad range of career planning and job skills activities that Club staff or volunteers can use with teens. The CareerLaunch Portfolio contains a Teen Tips booklet with helpful interviewing and on-the-spot job tips. This program is made possible through a partnership between Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the Gap Foundation.

Job Ready
Sponsored by the Taco Bell Foundation as part of teen career prep programming, JOB READY! is a comprehensive program that teaches young people ages 16-18 effective job-hunting techniques and helps them develop the skills necessary to be successful once on the job.

ClubService
This program, the result of a partnership between Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the Corporation for National Service (AmeriCorps), provides education awards to Club members ages 17 and 18 and Club alumni ages 19-24 who serve their Clubs and communities. CLUBService recognizes young people's service, helps them access higher education opportunities and encourages them to pursue future careers as Club professionals.