CHARACTER & LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
Character & Leadership empower our youth to support and influence their Club and community, sustain meaningful relationships with others, develop a positive self-image, participate in the democratic process and respect their own and others’ cultural identities
YOUTH OF THE YEAR
Since 1947, Youth of the Year has been Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s premier recognition program, celebrating the extraordinary achievements of Club Members. Club Members who earn the Youth of the Year title embody the values of leadership; service; academic excellence; and healthy lifestyles. Youth of the Year recipients exemplify the critical impact that Boys & Girls Clubs have on the lives of young people. The National Youth of the Year receives an additional $15,000 scholarship—totaling $26,000 in scholarships—and is installed by the President of the United States.
KEYSTONE CLUBS
Keystone Clubs are chartered small group leadership development clubs for young people ages 14 to 18. Keystone members elect officers, choose their own activities and plan and implement community service projects. A national charter entitles a Keystone Club to participate in regional and national Keystone conferences. The Taco Bell Foundation funds this teen leadership program.
TAKE TEN
The goals of Take Ten are to reduce violence, prevent violence and to teach children and adults positive alternatives to violence. The objective is to shift what is acceptable and expected behavior in society today, namely violence, to attitudes and behaviors that expect and teach nonviolence. In order to obtain these goals, Take Ten volunteers work with children and adults to teach them skills to “Talk it Out, Walk it Out, and Wait it Out.” By providing these skills, children and adults are better equipped to think before they act when faced with a conflict that may result in violence.
TAKE TEN gradually becomes ingrained into the psyche of the school, and schools have reported that a fundamental social change occurs after Take Ten is integrated into their culture.
TAKE TEN gradually becomes ingrained into the psyche of the school, and schools have reported that a fundamental social change occurs after Take Ten is integrated into their culture.
