What We Do
Our organization was founded in 1996 as Boys & Girls Club of Michigan City. Since then, we have been working to help our community’s young people, especially those who need us most, reach their full potential as productive, caring responsible citizens.
In 2020, we changed our name to Boys & Girls Clubs of La Porte County to demonstrate our commitment to exploring how we can best serve our entire community. In 2021, we expanded from 3 Clubs in Michigan City to 5 Clubs throughout La Porte County with the addition of new sites in Westville and Kingsford Heights. In 2023, we added three new Clubs in the City of La Porte. Moving forward, we will continue to enhance the impactful programming we are already providing while also looking for opportunities to meet needs elsewhere in the county. We see unlimited possibilities for the future!
At each of our 8 sites (Charles R. Westcott Club, Springfield Club Extension, Pine Club Extension, Westville Club, Kingsford Heights Club, Lincoln Club, Kesling Club and Brighton Street Club), members receive access to homework help, mentoring, sports and recreation programs, STEAM enrichment, community service opportunities and much more. Our programs include the following:
Academic Success
Homework Help/Tutoring provides Club members with opportunities for daily homework assistance and/or educational activities. Approximately 75% show improvement of at least 15% in reading, math or both. We see the best outcomes for Club members who attend regularly.
Career Explorations focuses on post-graduation options. Our Virtual Job Shadowing program uses technology to expose members to a wide range of careers – from welder to paleontologist to author to chef. Members learn about careers of interest, plus the education/training necessary to achieve them.
Power Hour allows Club members of all ages to complete homework or other learning activities in a controlled environment with a Youth Development Professional on hand to provide support. Our Clubs often offer fun incentives – like a pizza or ice cream party – for regular participation in Power Hour.
STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) Enrichment is offered regularly at each of our sites. Our Westcott Club features a dedicated STEM MakerSpace thanks to a generous grant from the Arconic Foundation! At all of our Clubs, our Club members enjoy fun STEM activities like making slime, building stomp rockets, participating in LEGO challenges and much more.
Character & Citizenship
Volunteering teaches Club members to give back to their community and express gratitude. Examples of volunteering initiatives include writing letters to nursing home residents, cleaning up litter around the Elston school building and creating safety posters for use at school.
Respect Bucks is a rewards program developed by our team. Members at participating Clubs receive “Respect Bucks” when they are caught making good choices or being kind/helpful without prompting.
Member of the Month provides an opportunity to recognize Club members who are making good choices during their time at the Club. Winners are recognized with a personalized certificate.
Healthy Lifestyles
SMART Moves helps Club members learn resistance, develop good decision-making and increase their social-emotional skills. SMART stands for Skills Mastery and Resilience Training. We offer multiple curriculums to ensure lessons are delivered in an age-appropriate manner.
Triple Play is Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s comprehensive health and wellness program, developed in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. We ensure all Club members get moving regularly through sports, games and exercise sessions.
Food Program – All Club members receive nutritious after school snacks during their time at our Clubs. Summer Club members receive breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack. Snacks and meals are always free to Club members