About Us

In 1944, thirty Santa Monica civic leaders decided to open a Club for boys to provide positive alternatives and keep them off the streets. Thus, in 1946 they opened the Boys Club of Santa Monica. By 1958, the Founding Board Members raised enough funds to build and open the Club’s current facility on Lincoln Boulevard.

Since then, approximately 150,000 youth have participated in Club programs. On October 16, 1990, the Club announced that it would extend its services to include girls and became the Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica.

In 1993, the Club expanded its services further by beginning school outreach programs, offering after school activities at school sites throughout Santa Monica. On June 10, 2009, SMBGC opened the JAMS Clubhouse a new state-of-the-art, standalone facility located on the John Adams Middle School campus.

In 2007 Boys & Girls Clubs of America introduced “Impact 2012,” a five-year strategic plan, to reach deeper into the lives of youth we serve, impacting them in a more comprehensive way. The campaign revolves around three core impact areas: academic success, healthy lifestyles, and good character and citizenship.

Here at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica we are embracing those objectives with the launch of programs and curriculum including College Bound, Getin’ Paid, and Leaders in Training (LIT).

We’ve also developed strong partnerships with Santa Monica agencies, schools, and service providers to enhance our offerings and better serve our members and their entire family.

• Santa Monica Police Activities League (PAL) — Cooperation with the Police Activities League (PAL) focuses on implementing two programs: “Kids with Cameras” and “Rise above the Pressure” or RAP. Kids with Cameras fosters community participation through collaboration with local professional photographers, civic leaders, local business owners and venues and children from the PAL and Santa Monica Boys and Girls Clubs. RAP, “Rise Above the Pressure”, empowers youth to make smart choices around the many harmful distractions they face including truancy, alcohol, drugs, or gang participation.
• Santa Monica Community College – Our partnership with SMCC enables an extension of our academic preparedness programs, physical fitness, and an extension of our Club community. SMCC is a key partner in the “Rise above the Pressure” providing curriculum and campus tours for members, illustrating possible career choices after high school and empowering them with valuable knowledge about different professions. SMCC also partners with the JAMS Clubhouse for a Swim Program and access to its aquatic center during summer months.
• Santa Monica Community Corporation – A partnership with the Santa Monica Community Corporation resulted in the creation of two new branches — Berkeley and Pacific – situated in affordable housing apartment homes. The ability to serve children in or near their homes provides a significant advantage and strengthens the family and community bonds we are able to foster.
• Health and Human Services – A partnership with St. John’s Hospital provides mental health counseling members and families (on a referral basis) at no charge. The Club also partners with Revolution Foods and other providers to offer our members free, nutritious snacks during the school year and a hot lunch during summer months.

Economic Impact Report

We already know that the Clubs give kids a safe place to go after school to do homework, socialize and have fun instead of getting into trouble out on the streets, but now we know just how much good your investment in the Clubs is doing!

In 2010, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America – Los Angeles County Alliance commissioned a study by Damooei Global Research to measure the social and economic impact the Clubs have on their community.

What they identified was that for every $1 invested by the Clubs, $16.42 worth of positive economic impacts for the community is generated! This is a testament to the vital role the Clubs play in shaping the lives and futures of Club members and their parents.

This comprehensive study measured the Clubs’ economic impact in 5 categories:

1. High school graduation rates – Club members are encouraged to stay in school and graduate at a higher rate than the national average. So for every $1 the Club spends on education programs, $3.83 worth of increased earning potential is generated.
2. Teen pregnancy prevention – Club members are encouraged to make wise decisions and to wait until they are older to have children. This means that every $1 the Clubs spend teaching responsibility results in a savings of $.39 for tax payers.
3. Crime prevention – The Clubs provide a safe place for kids filled with positive role models. This helps prevent crime in our community and means that for every $1 the Clubs spend to provide a safe environment and keep kids off the streets and out of gangs, tax payers save $1.72.
4. Assisting parents – The Clubs provide after school and summer care, which means that struggling parents can stay at work and not sacrifice income during these trying economic times. The result: For every $1 the Clubs spend on after school care, parents are able to earn an additional $8.89 to put food on the table.
5. Volunteers – Unlike day care and other after school programs, the Clubs have limited paid staff and rely heavily on volunteers to care for kids each day. This means that for every $1 the Clubs spends on labor and operations costs, tax payers save $1.59.

To read a summary of the economic impact study here.

Board Leadership

Our boards are essential to our success. The leadership and support provided by these professional volunteers enable us to fulfill our mission each year.

Meet our Board of Governors
Meet our Advisory Board

Read all about the Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica; our programs, accomplishments on behalf of youth, our financial standing, and the generous donors who make it all possible.
To learn more click here.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and a Drug Free Workplace. Drug testing and fingerprint background checks are required as a condition of employment. Resumes are encouraged, however, a completed Employment Application must accompany your resume. Please submit a separate application for each position you are seeking.

Development Assistant

Development Interns