COVID Relief | Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Baltimore

LEADING WITH RESILIENCE

Responding to COVID-19

When the COVID-19 pandemic abruptly changed the needs and well-being of the communities we serve, we responded in ways big and small to keep young people on track to great futures.

Thank you for standing with us in resilience.

We Kept Kids Connected to Engaging Programming

When life as we knew it changed, we innovated to continue delivering life-changing programming and positive outlets.

Conducted 700+ hours

of summer camp programming

Offered 700+ hours of virtual programming

Provided 300+ at-home activity kits and games

It’s been quite a year for Kendill. His grandfather passed away in December and his father passed away in April. He lost the two most important men in his life within six months. Then we moved to North Carolina. The Club’s virtual programming has been a godsend because it kept him connected to his friends during these trying months. He had somewhere to go every day, something to depend on.

Monique, aunt of Club kid

We Helped Close the Digital Divide & Achievement Gaps

When faced with a historic shutdown of schools, we opened our Clubs to support students through a prolonged period of remote learning.

Distributed 230+ laptops and tablets

Introduced robust Wifi at all Clubs to serve as Comcast "Lift Zones"

Extended Club hours to provide 57,600+ hours of support for virtual school

Ms. Erica came to our house to drop off supplies, including a tablet for my son Karter. Our entire household shares a laptop distributed by the public school system. If it weren’t for the Boys & Girls Club providing our family with a device, I don’t know how Karter would have passed to the next grade.

Danielle, mom of two Club kids

We Met Basic Needs

As the pandemic robbed lives and livelihoods and shuttered anchor institutions, we stepped up to close the gap in critical services.

Made 2,500+ phone calls and "screen door" visits to check on families

Kept Clubs open in spring for 700+ hours to support children of essential personnel

Served 5,000+ meals and snacks beyond standard food program

Distributed 200+ personal care kits

Charged $0 to families

The Boys & Girls Club offered me the opportunity to go back to work. I am a caregiver. At the start of the pandemic, I could not work and manage virtual school. I heard about the Club from a client. When I dropped my girls off, it was “Wow!” from the beginning. The staff take these children as their own. I am grateful.

Kate, mom of two Club kids

We Invested in our Staff

When our incredible team of talented youth-development professionals stepped up for our kids, we stepped up to support them.

Collaborated with other Maryland Boys & Girls Clubs to train frontline staff in trauma-informed approach

Added 4 new positions to our Programs team

Raised minimum wage to $15/hr and kept staff hours the same as year prior

Face Shield from Nations Photo_D Butler.

For over 10 years, I've worked as a paraprofessional at the school during the day and as a youth development coordinator at the Club in the afternoons. When I was laid off from the school this fall, I was invited to join BGCMB full time. Now I spend all my time at the Club. My main focus is to be a positive role model for children and there's no place I'd rather be.