Background

Locally, the Boys & Girls Clubs started in Belfair in 1998 through strong community support. The Clubs operated successfully and joined the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound for regional collaboration to increase and expand services to local youth.

In 2006, the Bremerton Branch was opened at Naval Avenue Learning Center with tremendous local support generated by founding fathers Peter Braun and Norm Johnson. Collaborating with the Bremerton School District, key community leaders and businesses, the Club has exceeded capacity year after year since opening.

In Summer 2007 the first outreach site was opened in the Port Orchard area at Sidney Glen Elementary with another following at Orchard Heights under the Bremerton Branch. South Kitsap Branch was established in September 2010.

The sites at the Bremerton and South Kitsap elementary locations serving youth 6-11 years old are at or nearing capacity with waiting lists. As each year passes our 12-18 year olds are in great need of finding a place to call their own.

Power of Partnership

The presence of the Boys & Girls Clubs in local school districts is demonstrating significant outcomes for Club participants regarding behavior in school and academic success with increased reading, math, science scores. There is also an increase in youth involvement in community service, character and leadership activities.

Boys & Girls Clubs continue to seek opportunities to partner closely with educators, other agencies, local government, our community and others whose focus is to serve youth. The power of these partnerships is and will remain the key to our success.

Teen Center Project at Youth Wellness Campus

The building of a Teen Center in Bremerton is an expansion of our existing elementary programs in Kitsap County giving us the ability to provide continuity to youth as they enter their teens. 73% of Club participants are on free/reduced lunch or other financial assistance. Due to the cost of youth programs, increased teen crime in our community, and the limited teen programs available, we are collaborating with the Bremerton School District, City of Bremerton and other community partners to create a destination place for middle and high school youth after school and during the summer months.

The Teen Center will be the first phase of a 7 acre Youth Wellness Campus to be located on 44 acres in East Bremerton with land owned by the Bremerton School District. The site is the current location of the Old East High School.