Baltimore, Maryland – Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Baltimore (BGCMB) today released an impact report summarizing its work over the past year during COVID-19. Last spring, BGCMB shifted its focus, adjusted programing, and implemented new protocols to ensure the organization could continue providing support to Club kids and their families during this time of great need. The organization will continue these efforts and is aiming to expand its work while the pandemic continues.
BGCMB published the report on its website including a video with CEO and President, Jeff Breslin at: BGCMetroBaltimore.org/COVID-Relief
Businesses and foundations who supported BGCMB’s COVID-19 relief efforts include Amerigroup Foundation, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, CFG Community Bank, COPT, Gordon Croft Foundation, Crown Castle, The Hackerman Foundation, Heritage MileOne Autogroup, Katz Amsterdam Charitable Trust, Planet Fitness, Roger and Elaine Ralph, Toyota, Truist, Turner, and Under Armour. Additional organizations supported BGCMB as well that requested to remain private.
BGCMB also received program support through the Maryland Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs because of a grant award provided by the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services.
Outlined below are outcomes achieved by BGCMB during COVID-19:
Keeping Club kids stay connected with educational and engaging programming:
Conducted over 700 hours of summer camp programming
Offered over 700 hours of virtual programming
Provided more than 300 at-home activity kits and games
Helping to close the digital divide and achievement gaps:
Distributed over 230 laptops and tablets
Introduced robust WiFi in partnership with Comcast at all four BGCMB Clubs to serve as "Lift Zones"
Extended Club hours to provide more than 57,600 hours of support for virtual school
Meeting basic needs of Club families
Club staff made over 2,500 phone calls and "screen door" visits to check on families
Kept Clubs open in the spring for to provide over 700 hours of childcare for essential personnel
Served more than 5,000 meals and snacks beyond BGCMB’s standard food program
Distributed over 200 personal care kits to Club families
Charged $0 to families
Investing in the organization’s staff:
Collaborated with other Boys & Girls Clubs throughout Maryland to train frontline staff in the trauma-informed approach
Added four new positions to the organization’s Programs team
Raised minimum wage to $15 per hour and kept staff hours the same as the previous year
“While the pandemic created and brought to light many substantial challenges over the past year, it also reminded us of the immense power of community and the value of resilience we learn through hardship,” said Breslin. “We have doubled down on our mission to grow and become a stronger organization in spite of these challenges and our team, along with our supporting partners, proved that we will do whatever it takes to support our kids and their families when they need us the most.”
Businesses and foundations interested in sponsoring BGCMB can contact Director of Development and Communications, Jesse Schaefer at jschaefer@bgcmetrobaltimore.org or 410–637–3838.
-BGCMB-