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The Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio serves more than 6,000 Club members in the San Antonio community annually. Founded in 1939, Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio operates five branches year round. In addition, weserve youth in 13 school sites during the academicyear. The Clubs provide after school and summer programs that develop assets, values and skills in youth ages 6-18 years old. As a result of the club's programs, young people are inspired and enabled to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. We are truly "The Positive Place for Kids."
More than a safe-haven for kids "at-risk," the Boys & Girls Club is a place that nurtures the limitless potential of our youth. Last year more than 14,000 young people walked through our doors to find a safe place, life-enhancing programs, relationships with caring, professionally trained staff and volunteers, and a sense of hope for a future of bright possibilities.
What is the most influential time in a child's life? It's between 3 and 8 p.m. every afternoon, after school. Thousands of kids throughout our community lack adult supervision and meaningful, positive things to do between the time they leave school and the time their parents come home. The Boys & Girls Clubs are open when school is out, offering a fun and productive environnment after school and all day during school holidays. Research also shows that youth who participate in quality after-school programs have better academic performance, behavior and school attendance and greater expectations for the future.
News and Events
St. Mary’s Hall Student Takes Charge of Super Sports Camp for Boys & Girls Club
Two years ago, St. Mary’s Hall rising sophomore Rachel Guerin had the time of her life volunteering for the Super Sports Camp that St. Mary’s Hall hosted for the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio. When the student who had  organized the program graduated, the camp was disbanded because there was no one to run it. So as a junior last fall, Rachel decided to take matters into her own hands and asked Leslie Branham, St. Mary’s Director of Student Enrichment about reinstating the camp. The two of them discussed possible dates and ways to improve the program, but Branham told Rachel that she would be the person responsible for making the camp a reality.
It was a challenge Rachel readily took on. Rachel then approached Jim Watson, Executive Director of the Clubs, about reinstating the camp for Club members. They agreed to offer the camp opportunity to members of the Candlewood Branch. Rachel then met with Candlewood Branch Director Monte Riley, to work out the camp’s details.
Rachel began recruiting volunteers by making a presentation at an all-school assembly. A total of 18 students signed on to work as volunteers. Funds to cover the cost of operating the camp had to be raised as well, so Rachel made a presentation to management at the Argo Group, where her mother works, and contacted families in the St. Mary’s community. She and her best friend, C.C. Buford, raised a total of $4,500 for the camp.
The end result was a fantastic week-long day camp experience in June for approximately 40 Candlewood members, ages six-to-12 years old. The kids got to take part in an array of activities, including sports, swimming,  games, arts and crafts and making homemade ice cream. When asked what the kids enjoyed most about the camp, Rachel laughed and said, “They ALL loved swimming in the pool! Everyone said that was the best part.” Rachel even arranged for the Red Cross to train eight St. Mary’s students in CPR to ensure the utmost safety for camp participants.
“I’ve learned so much through this experience,” said Rachel. “I’ve learned the importance of organizing an event down to the smallest detail and the importance of delegating tasks to get a job done. And, it’s been a great experience for all of us to get involved with kids from all different backgrounds.”
When asked what she envisions for the camp going forward, Rachel said, “I truly hope to pass along the opportunity to head up this effort to a sophomore volunteer for next year after I graduate.”
Sole Boutique Donates New Shoes to the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio
Fabby and Julio Rodriguez, owners of Sole Boutique in Alamo Heights, have donated since Feb. 1 of this year 60 pairs of designer athletic shoes to members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio.  In addition, they also donated t-shirts, belts and jeans for the kids to enjoy.
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"When we were growing up, we
knew how important it was to
have new tennis shoes," said Fabby.
"Julio went to Fox Tech High School
and I attended Brackenridge High
School and we didn't have much
growing up." |
"When |
Sole Boutique is a high-end clothing and shoe store that carries designer brands not found in regular apparel stores. Getting the chance to open their own boutique was a long-pursued dream for the couple. They opened the store at its Broadway location in 2008.
"We've been very blessed in our lives and we wanted to do something to give back to the community," said Fabby. "A lot of people have sown seeds for us and we wanted to do our part to keep it going. Shoes are a big deal for kids -- they give them confidence that they fit in. We wanted members of the Boys & Girls Clubs to know that somebody wanted to do something for them."
Fabby and Julio donated 25 pairs of high-end shoes to the Clubs in the first quarter and 35 pairs in the second quarter. The shoes retail from $70 to $200 per pair. "We hope to be able to continue making these donations to the Clubs every quarter. It's a great feeling to know that we're making a difference in the lives of these kids."
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