Boys & Girls Clubs of America and National Partners Rally Behind America's Youth This Back-to-School Season

Campaign supports access to safe afterschool spaces and invests in great futures for millions of young people

ATLANTA, August 20, 2026--As students return to the classroom this fall, Boys & Girls Clubs of America and its national corporate partners are launching a series of back-to-school initiatives. Together they are helping more young people access safe afterschool spaces where they receive academic support, guidance from caring mentors and opportunities to build the life skills they need to succeed in school and beyond.

The hours between school dismissal and parents returning home remain one of the greatest challenges facing America's families. According to the National Center for Education, today, 1 in 2 young people lack access to an afterschool program, leaving millions without a safe place to learn, grow and belong during the most critical hours of the day. Each year, Boys & Girls Clubs of America opens its doors to more than 4 million young people, providing afterschool programming where kids and teens can build essential skills, develop meaningful relationships and discover passions that prepare them for great futures.

At Clubs across the country, afterschool programs are a launchpad for academic success, healthy development and lifelong opportunity. Four in five Club youth report earning mostly As and Bs in school, while 83% say they have not skipped school in the past month and 97% believe they will graduate from high school.

Beyond academic achievement, nearly every Boys & Girls Club offers free, healthy meals and snacks, serving more than 86 million each year to help young people stay nourished, focused and ready to learn. Just as important, Clubs foster a sense of belonging that helps young people thrive. Nine in 10 youth say they feel accepted at their Club and know there is a trusted adult who will listen and encourage them, creating the foundation for resilience and long-term success.

"Preparing young people for success happens both in and out of the classroom, and we all have a role to play," said Jim Clark, president & CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. "Every day, Boys & Girls Clubs provide a safe, supportive place where kids and teens gain the skills and experiences to thrive in school and become future-ready. That support has a lasting impact. In fact, young Club alumni are 60% more likely to be employed full-time than their peers. We're grateful for partners who help provide the opportunities and resources young people need for a successful school year today and great futures tomorrow."