Dear Friends of Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware, We are pleased to report that with your support 2016 was a positive year for our organization and the kids we serve. We are more certain than ever before that the impact we have on the lives of young people brings tremendous benefit to our community as well as our state and changes the lives of thousands of kids. You will see in this Annual Report a number of our accomplishments as we continue to: Be Determined to achieve positive results from our programming; Be Bold as we address current issues facing our youth and communities; Be Adventurous as we open new doors of possibilities for our youth; and Be Inspired by our diverse and plentiful community collaborations that enhance and expand our reach to young people. This year we continued to focus on S.T.E.A.M. (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) learning activities. In these programs alone, more than 21,000 young people engaged in creative problem-solving and skill development activities that will enable them to pursue academic and professional opportunities in S.T.E.A.M. fields. We continued our efforts in helping kids avoid summer learning loss by incorporating interactive and fun educational programming into Summer Fun Club through our Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) program. 85% of our kids showed gains in reading skills, compared with 57% of children nationwide. Our national award-winning food program provided more than 587,000 meals to hungry George Krupanski children last year - continuing our commitment to feeding kids across Delaware. President & CEO Our increased efforts to serve more teens in 2016 proved successful. 15,799 teenagers participated in Club programming and activities focused on drug and alcohol prevention, anger management, conflict resolution, as well as college and career preparation. We launched an effort with the support of United Way of Delaware, Christiana Care, First State Community Action, City of Wilmington, Dover and Seaford police departments; bringing together 100 young men of color into conversations designed to de-escalate tensions and mistrust between local law enforcement and civilians. In the last month of the fiscal year we opened our new Greater Dover Boys & Girls Club, a unique partnership with Kent County; setting a model for other nonprofits nationwide. Since opening its doors in June, Club programs and activities have been operating at capacity. To independently validate our impact, in 2016 we embarked on a socio-economic impact study with an external research firm. The research shows for every dollar spent in services by our Boys & Girls Clubs there is a $13.91 return to our state. The support we receive allows us to provide services that result in higher graduation rates, increased lifetime earnings, lower teen pregnancy rates, crime reduction, improved overall health, reduction in alcohol and substance abuse and supporting parents and families; enabling them to work and contribute to their community. We have always believed in our efforts – now we have evidence that supports our results! It is with great appreciation that we present this Annual Report to you. With your support, our organization continues to be the leader of youth services in Delaware and your continued commitment to our mission enables us to inspire all young people to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens. Thank you! With Gratitude, Michael J. DiLeo George Krupanski Chairman, Board of Directors President & CEO Michael J. DiLeo Chairman, Board of Directors 1 Our Services Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware serves over 30,000 youth across 41 sites throughout the state in the following ways: EDUCATION & CAREER: STEAM Programs, Computer Technology, Before & After School Programs, Power Hour- Homework Help, Mentoring, Money Management, College Preparedness, Project Learn, Tutoring, Summer Brain Gain, Reading Is Fundamental, Career Launch, Club Tech CHARACTER & LEADERSHIP: Torch Club, Keystone Club, Youth of the Year, Mike’s TEAM, Triple Play, Anti-Bullying, Grief & Bereavement Programs THE ARTS: Pegasus ArtWorks, Digital Arts, Music, Performing Arts, Drama Matters HEALTH & LIFE SKILLS: Prevention Programs, SMART Girls, Triple Play, SMART Moves, SPORTS, FITNESS & RECREATION: Dream Chasers, AAU Basketball, First Tee, Swim Club, Cheerleading, Flag/Tackle Football TEENS: Teen Initiatives, My Club Life, Teen Scene, Teen Town Hall, Just(ice) In Time©, Youth of the Year BE DETERMINED – Getting Results In 2016 the organization embarked on a socio-economic impact study with independent research group, Damooei Global Research (DGR). The study used comparative data to measure the impact on behavior and performance of youth who regularly receive the benefits of the Clubs compared to their peers in the larger community. To further illustrate the impact of every dollar spent by Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware, an Input-Output Model was used to compare the aggregate budget of the Clubs with the positive economic impacts they generate in their communities. Results from the study found that Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware creates economic value in local communities through: • Higher graduation rates, resulting in increased lifetime earnings among youth who attend the Clubs on a regular basis • Lower teen pregnancy rates • Impact of crime reduction programs that enable youth to resolve conflicts • Health education and its impact on reducing obesity and related diseases • Lowering the tendency for alcohol and substance abuse and lowering of the costs associated with underage use • Enabling parents to work or attend school in order to upgrade their skills For every $1 spent with Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware, $13.91 is generated through positive economic impact on the economy in Delaware. This tremendous rate of return is a testament to the vital role the Clubs play in shaping the lives and futures of Club members, Club families and the greater community. *For methodology and full summary visit bgclubs.org 91 00 $1. $13. 2 Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Mathematics (STEAM) Initiatives In 2016, Clubs provided STEAM learning opportunities to over 21,000 kids; engaging youth in processes of inquiry, creative problem solving, and the pursuit of educational, career and professional opportunities in STEAM fields. Club youth participated in computer coding classes, robotics building leagues, financial literacy programs, summer STEM camps and various programs in the arts. Continuing in 2016 was the Delmarva Power STEM Club. Delmarva Power and Discovery Education partnered with Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware to deliver a rich multi-disciplinary curriculum which combined hands-on labs, engineering challenges and digital investigations to keep kids engaged and excited about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Children explored the subjects of energy, water, and urban infrastructure by participating in modules created by Discovery Education. This year youth participated across 28 sites statewide. 61% of our youth demonstrated an increase in awareness of the difference between nonrenewable and renewable energy, 63% of participants increased their awareness of the concept of global warming and 89% increased in awareness of the importance of STEM. This year, Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware received one of only ten STEM Equity Community Innovation grants from For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST). The FIRST STEM Equity Community Innovation Grant increases access to FIRST programs for underrepresented and underserved youth, and helps Clubs across Delaware develop new and innovative approaches to address equity, inclusion and diversity inequalities in STEM fields. Other 2016 funding sources and STEAM partners included: FIRST LEGO League (FLL); Astra Zeneca; Delaware Division of the Arts; and Exelon-PEPCO. 3 Reading is Fundamental (RIF) “My kids really enjoyed the RIF program. It is nice to know that they have access to high quality reading materials during the summer. Because of their participation in RIF and their increased interest in reading on their own, they started the school year better prepared.” - Cheryl, mother of two young Club members Research shows when kids do not read over the summer, they can lose up to two grade levels of comprehension. During Summer Fun Club 2016, in partnership with Sallie Mae Fund and RIF, Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware implemented our summer academic program to combat the “summer slide”. Statewide, over 1,600 youth participated in Reading Is Fundamental. 14,618 RIF sessions were conducted over 8 weeks. 85% of Club members showed gains in reading skills, compared with 57% of children in the RIF national study. 83% of participants considered themselves to be a good reader, a 4% increase from last year, demonstrating a steady increase in positive attitude towards reading. Results show that Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware’s Community Based Organization Model is working and strengthening our evidence based practices to combat summer learning loss. “Thank you for allowing our Club to be a part of this amazing program. It was a joy for our kids and staff to help and participate. The kids enjoyed our weekly books and the books they received as gifts at the end of the program.” - Ciara Hooks, RIF Program Coordinator, Greater Newark Boys & Girls Club 4 New Castle Boys & Girls Club wins National Scholastic Award The Young Writers Workshop at New Castle Boys & Girls Club won honorable mention in Scholastic Books’ Kids Are Authors National Competition for their original book, The Story of Dr. Velma. As part 13,704 of their National Scholastic Award, Club members received $500 in books from Scholastic and a special award for their book, based onCLUB YOUTH maintaining Dr. Velma Scantlebury, Associate Director of the Kidney Transplant their healthy weight. Program at Christiana Care. Out of more than 1,000 book projects submitted, the New Castle Boys & Girls Club was the only winner from the state of Delaware. The story of Dr. Velma Scantlebury featured the first African American female transplant surgeon in the United States. Dr. Scantlebury visited the students at the Club as they worked on their book.