Our mission is to inspire and enable all children, especially those who need us most, to build character and confidence and to realize their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. We do this by providing safe places filled with opportunity, enriching programs, and caring adults who actively cultivate relationships to ensure that our youth feel connected, supported and valued.
For youth ages 6 to 18, we offer daily after school programs five days-a-week at our downtown Santa Cruz, Live Oak, and Scotts Valley Clubhouses. We also host summer and holiday day camps and offer a range of special interest programs.
As more families move to Downtown Santa Cruz, we must ensure our Clubhouse is safe and modern. With your support, we aim to improve the essentials: a new roof, gutters and renovation of the indoor swimming pool, where thousands of local kids have learned to swim. This facility (built in 1969) suffers from decades of deferred maintenance.
Our second BIG IDEA is to ensure local families have access to affordable, high-quality out-of-school programs where kids can learn, grow, and thrive. With the rising cost of living, requests for financial assistance have increased significantly over the past year. Our donor-funded scholarship program helps us meet our community’s needs, providing youth with the resources and support they need to succeed in school and life.
Our data indicates we’re on track in meeting our goal to empower young people to become leaders in their communities, with skills and confidence to make a positive impact: 86% of Club kids report receiving mostly A’s and B’s in school, and 84% say they can stand up for what’s right, even if their friends disagree.
Together we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of hundreds of Santa Cruz County families.
We love that the staff seems to really care about the kids. All of the kids seem like they love the club. Our child is an only child and thrives on being around other children in a safe environment. The club allows us to work longer hours and we are happy to know our child is safe and enjoying themselves!
Anonymous Club parent, Santa Cruz
