Life & Workforce Readiness

Empowering Young People to Succeed

To help young people meet the workforce challenges of tomorrow, they need safe spaces, positive mentorship and work experiences today. At Boys & Girls Clubs, we allow kids and teens to:

• Explore their interests and passions

• Develop their employability skills

• Apply their knowledge to real-world work experiences

Leveling the Playing Field

Millions of young people face an uncertain future and competitive job market. Boys & Girls Clubs help young people stay on track in the midst of change.

TPU Academy

Ages 6-13

Tacoma Public Utilities (TPU) and Boys & Girls Clubs have been longtime community partners. Their collaboration includes the annual TPU Bowl-A-Thon benefiting the Clubs, as well as multiple STEM-focused sponsorships in recent years, efforts that ultimately led to the creation of the TPU STEM Academy.

The TPU STEM Academy connects Boys & Girls Club members to real-world applications of science, technology, engineering, and math. This six-session program features hands-on learning led by representatives from TPU’s Power, Water, Rail, and Cyber divisions, giving participants direct exposure to STEM careers in their community.

The program aims to provide STEM learning opportunities aligned with TPU career pathways, create awareness of future employment possibilities, and help Club members better understand power and water systems, as well as railroad safety.

The TPU Academy is held at three Tacoma Club locations over six weeks during the summer, serving cohorts of 15–20 fourth- and fifth-grade students at each site. The program culminates in a capstone field.

TransferVR

Ages 13-18

Boys & Girls Clubs has partnered with TransfrVR to help youth from all backgrounds discover career paths that truly fit them. TransfrVR was founded on a simple idea: to create hands-on, accessible pathways that connect individuals to meaningful work aligned with their strengths and aspirations. By bringing this program to our Clubs, we have the opportunity to give our members the chance to explore careers that excite them, see real possibilities for their futures, and build pathways rooted in purpose and upward mobility.

Our VR → RL events are in-person experiences that connect TransfrVR programming with real-life professionals in our communities. Through partnerships with TPU and other organizations, we bring in professionals from career fields that interest our youth to provide meaningful, hands-on learning and real-world insights into those careers.  

Work-based learning 

Ages 13-18

Career-prep experience that combines program time and on-the-job learning in real workspaces to develop skills and build resumes, and supports economic mobility. Work-based learning is one of the most important experiences in a workforce readiness program. 

Career Launch

Ages 13-18

CareerLaunch encourages Club members to assess their skills and interests, explore careers, make sound educational decisions and prepare to join our nation’s work force. Club staff or volunteers help teens build their job-search skills and job readiness by using the CareerLaunch Facilitator Guide and working with teens individually or in small groups. The CareerLaunch page provides Club teens, staff and volunteers with online career exploration, college and job search information and interactive activities. Mentoring, job shadowing and training opportunities round out the program.

diplomas2Degrees

Ages 13-18

diplomas2Degrees (d2D), a college readiness program for ages 13 to 18, guides Club members as they work toward high school graduation and prepare for post-secondary education and career success. d2D helps teens develop both short- and long-term goals, while familiarizing them post-secondary education through experiences like college tours. It also assists youth in securing financial aid and fosters supportive relationships with adults who can provide support throughout the college experience.

Money Matters: Make it Count

Ages 13-18

The financial decisions that young people make today will impact their future. That’s why Boys & Girls Clubs pair youth with supportive Club mentors and volunteers to develop the financial skills that can lead to workplace readiness, lifelong financial stability and overall success. For over 20 years, Money Matters: Make it Count has taught teens how to set goals, budget, save and invest. In addition to staff-led financial literacy sessions, young people practice their financial decision-making skills through fun, engaging digital tools and games. Teens who complete Money Matters show improved financial management skills, including saving money and sticking to a budget.