Louis Harris Survey Reveals: 52% of Alumni Say Boys and Girls Club Saved My Life

Boys & Girls Club of America
Wednesday, 15 September 1999

Actor Denzel Washington Comments on Survey at Congressional Breakfast; B&GCA Announces Campaign to "Reconnect" with Former Club Members

The impact of daily, professionally-run educational and recreational after-school programs can be "life-saving" for a large segment of America's youth, according to a survey released today.

In the National Survey of Boys & Girls Club Alumni, conducted by Louis Harris & Associates, more than half of former Club members indicated "participating in the Club really saved my life." In addition, more than two-thirds of respondents said, "the Club was the only place to go in my community."

The survey, conducted during March, queried 1,592 people who identified themselves as former members of a Boys Club or Boys & Girls Club. Boys & Girls Clubs of America estimates there are more than 5 million living alumni worldwide.

"The positive impact of Boys & Girls Clubs on the lives of children and adolescents - and on their later lives as adults - comes through strongly in these figures," said Humphrey Taylor, chairman, Louis Harris & Associates. "What particularly stands out is the level of emphasis expressed by former members. Some 52 percent told us the Club saved their lives, meaning they believe they would probably be dead, or in jail, had it not been for their Club experience and the guidance of Club staff."

Impact of Professional Staff Cited

The influence of professional staff at the Clubs was rated very high by former members. Some 93 percent of respondents said, "the staff members in the Club really care and are dedicated." Specific influences include, "learning right from wrong" (80 percent), "developing self-confidence" (79 percent), "learning good leadership skills" (72 percent), and "developing the ability to avoid difficulty with the law" (70 percent).

More than half of respondents could recall a specific staff member who was important in their lives, and who was "there for them." For some, this was the first time they had a positive role model or mentor.

Among those who most benefited from Club membership, according to the survey, are minority alumni and those who grew up in self-described "tough neighborhoods." These alumni indicated a higher rate of participation, and rated a higher number of Club activities as "very important." Many cited a lack of alternatives in their neighborhoods. More than one-third of respondents described their childhood households as being "poor" or "low-income."

Educational Programs Rated as Most Important

Club alumni rated "tutoring/help with homework" (73 percent) and "career development" (71 percent) as the most important Club activities in which they participated. Also rated "very important" are "organized sports" and "swimming lessons" (70 percent), "recreation, exercise, games room" (69 percent), "outings, trips, cultural activities" (66 percent), and "counseling or mentoring" (64 percent).

"The Boys & Girls Clubs have widely benefited children and adolescents through very important programs that foster self-confidence, a sense of belonging and direction in young people's lives," said Taylor. "It is reasonable to conclude from this research that communities, particularly those that are economically disadvantaged, have gained much from the presence of the Clubs. Those alumni from socially and economically disadvantaged backgrounds most strongly emphasized the impact of the Clubs on their lives."

Club Alumnus Denzel Washington Comments on Survey

The results of the Harris alumni survey were unveiled today by Taylor during an annual breakfast held by Boys & Girls Clubs of America for members of Congress. Following his presentation, Academy-Award winning actor Denzel Washington, a Boys & Girls Club alumnus, spoke about the implications of the research.

"I stand before you as just one example of what this survey demonstrates - that Boys & Girls Clubs have a profound impact on the lives of youth, yesterday, today and far into the future," Washington said. "I understand what the alumni mean when they say, 'the Club saved my life.' Many of the kids from my neighborhood, including some of my friends who did not go to the Club, are today dead or locked up. The situation on today's streets is even worse (than in the past.) These Clubs are more than safe havens - they are literal lifelines for our most vulnerable kids.

"Think of it in terms of today: for at least one out of every two children who walk through the doors of the local Boys & Girls Club this week, this month, this year - we are saving their lives," said Washington. "Moreover, we are replacing despair with hope, and a real chance for success in life. That's the true significance of this survey."

Washington thanked members of Congress for their ongoing support of legislation designating funds for the growth of Boys & Girls Clubs in unserved and underserved communities, especially those considered "highly-distressed" neighborhoods. Boys & Girls Clubs of America has chartered more than 1,400 new Club locations over the last decade.

Growing up in the town of Mt. Vernon, N.Y., adjacent to New York City, Washington attended the Boys & Girls Club of Mt. Vernon beginning at age 6. He has served as the national spokesman for Boys & Girls Clubs of America since 1993.

"Come on Home" Alumni Campaign Planned

Based on the strong response from alumni regarding the Club's positive impact on their lives, Boys & Girls Clubs of America plans to launch an extensive campaign to "reconnect" with former members. The campaign, titled "Come on Home," will begin during National Boys & Girls Club Week, April 9-15, 2000.

"With an estimated 5 million or more former members out there, we can't afford NOT to engage these alumni more closely in the work of Boys & Girls Clubs today," said Roxanne Spillett, president of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. "Given the tremendous needs of so many communities and children, and in light of the powerful testimony about the Clubs from our alumni, we need more of our former members involved as volunteers, staff members, and financial supporters." The National Survey of Boys & Girls Club Alumni was conducted by Louis Harris & Associates for Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Funding for the survey was provided by the JM Foundation.

Boys & Girls Clubs of America comprises a national network of more than 2,300 neighborhood-based facilities annually serving some 3 million young people, primarily from disadvantaged circumstances. Known as "The Positive Place for Kids," Clubs provide guidance-oriented programs on a daily basis for children 6 - 18 years old, conducted by a full-time professional staff. Key programs emphasize character and leadership development, educational enhancement, career preparation, health and life skills, the arts, and sports, fitness and recreation. The Clubs are operated by some 36,700 full- and part-time staff and supported by more than 200,000 board and program volunteers. More information is available on the Internet at www.bgca.org, or by calling 800-854-CLUB.

For more information, or to contact Boys & Girls Club of America, see their website at: www.bgca.org