Photos Courtesy of Boys & GIrls Club of the Twin Cities
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities (BGCTC) held their 18th annual Tailgate at the Taproom event on August 15 at Fulton Brewing—celebrating 80 Club youth “All Stars” with nearly 200 community supporters in attendance. BGCTC’s Club “All Stars” are youth who have made consistent gains in academics, positive behavior, and good sportsmanship and are recognized monthly at the Clubs!
Guests enjoyed delicious food and beverages supplied by Buffalo Wild Wings and Fulton Brewing, played interactive games, and heard from the 2023 Twin Cities “Youth of the Year,” Natalia Love, as she answered questions with Bally Sports North’s sideline reporter, Audra Martin. After the “tailgate” at Fulton, everyone headed over to the Twins game to cheer on the team and enjoy a fun night at the ballpark.
Funds raised during Tailgate at the Taproom allow Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities to continue providing quality programming and working with Club members to ensure that all youth are on track for a successful future beyond high school graduation. As a new school year begins, BGCTC is striving to achieve a greater and more consistent impact than ever before, focusing on meeting the unique needs of each member. At the Clubs, skilled youth development professionals work hard to bring youth programming around academic success, healthy lifestyles, and good character and leadership to Club kids. This work is incredibly impactful on youth and teens right here in the Twin Cities, and it is provided free of charge.
BGCTC’s focus on academic success continues to grow and transform. To elevate academic support, BGCTC’s Education Advisory Council (EAC), a group of innovative and community-minded Education Technology companies in the Twin Cities, was established in 2021. The EAC regularly reviews BGCTC’s educational goals, the resources available to address these goals, and makes recommendations on what solutions may be available to address gaps that are identified. Through this partnership, BGCTC has now implemented culturally appropriate physical and digital libraries, professional training for staff, and added new academic resources for BGCTC youth. These are a few examples of the ongoing and innovative support provided to youth in the Twin Cities through Club programming!
Additionally, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities has launched several new programs in the past year. There has been an increased focus on mental wellness and trauma-informed care, and partnerships have been formed within schools and families to determine the individualized support that is needed to help students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. BGCTC has also launched their brand-new Alumni Association, cultivating a community of peer support for BGCTC alumni and youth members as they move through their Club experience and onto post-secondary and future career success.
The continued support of community members and partners is what makes these vital BGCTC programs possible and accessible for youth and teens across the Twin Cities. By attending an event like Tailgate at the Taproom, volunteering at a Club, or simply sharing BGCTC’s mission with your community, you are helping to create equitable opportunities for ALL Club youth.
