FY24 Impact Report
“Since signing up in the 10th Grade, I have gone to the Clubhouse almost every day.”
– Devin E., 2024 Youth of the Year, Pinkerton Clubhouse
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In 2024, Madison Square Boys & Girls Club (“Madison”) doubled down on our effort to strengthen and support the youth of our Harlem, Brooklyn, and Bronx communities. Madison provided plentiful opportunities to kids ages 6-18 to build supportive relationships and healthy, happy lives.
This past year, we demonstrated that nurturing a supportive community elevates the potential of every young person we serve. We have focused on fostering collective growth and creating an environment where youth learn and thrive together.
At the heart of our mission, Madison remains committed to transparency and accountability. This Impact Report is a testament to our dedication to New York City’s youth and the unwavering support of our closest stakeholders. In addition to our Annual Report, which encompasses financial and organizational updates, this document highlights the tangible, positive changes we’ve collectively achieved between October 1st, 2023, and September 30th, 2024.
We are incredibly grateful to our partners and supporters for bringing resources, opportunities, and valuable
We are incredibly to our partners and supporters for resources, opportunities, and valuable experiences to the kids who need them most. Because of your help, our youth can build skills, confidence, experiences to the kids who need them most. Because of your our can build and supportive relationships, setting them up for success. We look forward to continuing to share the and supportive relationships, setting them up for success. We look forward to continuing to share the incredible impact your support is making on New York City’s youth. Together, we’re making a difference. incredible your support is on New York we’re a difference.
ADDRESSING
COMMUNITY NEEDS:
RISING TO THE CHALLENGE
Madison’s youth are creative, intelligent, compassionate, and resilient. Despite these strengths, they face challenges that would test even the most capable adults. Our members live in neighborhoods in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Manhattan that face severe economic inequality and a lack of access to resources:
‣A third of children live below the poverty level .
‣Academic achievement is hindered, with low percentages of students performing at or above grade level in English and math and a third of adults over 25 lacking a high school diploma .
Kids in our Clubs’ neighborhoods are primarily from untapped and underrepresented communities who regularly endure exclusion, microaggressions, and systemic discrimination.
‣All of our members qualify for free or reduced-price lunches.
‣93% of our families’ annual income is $50,000 or less.
‣Many Madison members are first-generation Americans and potential first-generation college students.
The broader landscape in New York City reveals more challenges for our youth. New York City has the highest concentration of extreme wealth and one of the widest income gaps in the country. Since 2006, the income gap between the richest and poorest New Yorkers has been the widest it’s ever been, with the richest making 46-53 times more than the poorest. In New York City:
‣Youth unemployment (ages 16-24) in the city stands at 5.6%, significantly higher than the national rate of 3.4%, with unemployment for young Black workers alarmingly high at 20.4%
‣The crisis of youth homelessness is staggering, with over 119,000 students in temporary housing. Of these students, 34% live in city shelters, 61% are doubled up with others, and 5,900 are unsheltered
‣The mental health crisis further compounds these challenges, as a third of youth in New York City report needing or wanting mental health services, but only 42% of those who seek help actually receive it. Additionally, less than half of youth report receiving support for academics, tutoring, career, internship, and job opportunities
NYU Furman Center’s Neighborhood Profiles (2024). Available at https://furmancenter.org/neighborhoods [last visited 10.10.2024].
MADISON’S IMPACT AT A GLANCE
In 2024, 315 Madison members ages 9-18 participated in the National Youth Outcome Initiative (NYOI) Survey, annually administered by the Boys & Girls Club of America. Key outcomes for each of our three primary impact areas include:
Academic Success
‣98% of members report being on grade level in school.
level in schooll.
‣92% of members report they expect to graduate high school.
‣77% of members report mainly making A’s & B’s.
ect hiigh school. aking B’ B s s.
12th graders only:
‣100% report to have applied for post-secondary education and 94% to a 4-year college.
‣94% report to have taken the SAT, ACT, or another college entrance exam.
‣86% report to have applied for scholarships.
Good Character & Citizenship
ost-secondary y edu d catiion and 94% % to a 44 y year cololleegge. ACT, or r colllege e enntrran a ce e exam. holarships.
‣95% of members report they try to help when they see someone in need.
‣93% of members feel they can stand up for what they think is right, even if their friends disagree.
‣82% of members believe they can make a difference in their community.
Healthy Lifestyles
‣91% of teens report abstaining from lifetime cigarette use and 85% from lifetime alcohol use.
‣75% of members report being physically active for at least 60 minutes at least three days/per week.
‣51% were active five days per week or more.
‣69% of members ate three or more fruits and vegetables per day.
“The Madison Boys and Girls Club helped me to come to terms with who I am, that I’m appreciated, and that I’m wanted.”
- Daminick D., 2024 Youth of the Year, Elbaum Family Clubhouse
MADISON MEMBERSHIP
Enrollment: Madison membership is offered free of charge to kids 6 – 18 years old. In 2024, 3,267 youth were enrolled at Madison:
‣ 465 Explorers, ages 6-10
‣ 388 Juniors, ages 10-12
‣ 2,323 teens, ages 13-18
Average Daily Attendance: In 2024, on average, 448 kids attended Madison’s programs daily.
Youth’s Race: Madison tracks members’ race to better advocate for and provide opportunities for BIPOC youth, who comprise most of our member base. It also aims to provide optimal culturally relevant programs and best serve a diverse group of young individuals. Our members are young people from Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities:
‣ 62% identify as Black or African American
‣ 24% identify as Hispanic or Latinx
‣ 3% identify as multiracial
‣ 1% identify as Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
ACADEMIC SUCCESS
And:
‣ 1% identify as white
‣ 2% identify as other ‣and 7% is unknown
Madison’s goal is for members to graduate high school with a plan for their future. Our strategy is to provide after-school and summer educational enrichment, homework assistance, and personalized support.
“She graduated this past June as valedictorian and has been accepted to the University of Pennsylvania, where she will attend the Wharton School of Business. We are so proud of her achievements... I believe her time at the Club contributed significantly to her continued success.”
–Mother of Temitayo O., 2024, Thomas S. Murphy Clubhouse
Madison’s Explorers Academy and Juniors Academy are committed to fostering a love for learning from a young age, guiding our members through elementary and middle school, and ensuring their dedication to high school graduation while perceiving college as an attainable and enticing goal. STEM curriculum is a fundamental part of the Juniors Academy.
Explorers Academy (ages 6 to 9)
Members demonstrated academic success:
‣ 180 Explorers participated at least three times per week throughout the school year.
‣ 94% were promoted to the next grade level.
‣ 93% met or exceeded school attendance averages.
‣ 76% met or exceeded grade-level standards in Reading.
‣ 82% met or exceeded grade-level standards in Math.
Juniors Academy (ages 10 to 12)
Members demonstrated academic success:
‣ 140 Juniors participated at least three times per week throughout the school year.
‣ 98% were promoted to the next grade level.
‣ 96% met or exceeded school Attendance averages.
‣ 89% met or exceeded grade-level standards in Reading.
‣ 91% met or exceeded grade-level standards in Math.
Teen Campus (ages 13 to 18)
Members graduate high school with a plan for the future:
‣ 305 Teens participated at least three times per week in various Teen Campus program components, of which 212 high school intermediates and 93 seniors.
‣ 75% were promoted to the next grade level on time.
Project Graduate Program (ages 13 to 18)
Teens achieved their academic potential:
‣ 81 Teens participated.
‣ 100% learned about different options for saving and planning for college.
‣ 99% on-time grade promotion.
‣ 99% graduated high school.
‣ 90% apply to higher education institutions.
‣ 75% were accepted into higher education.
College Success Initiative (ages 18-24)
Members persisted throughout college and navigated the challenges of higher education successfully, developing essential skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and time management:
‣ 32 alums participated.
‣ 100% of young adults persisted in college and were on track to graduate within six years of enrollment.
Workforce Development (ages 13-24)
‣ 33 teens participated in an intensive Workforce Development program throughout the school year.
‣ 508 teens and young adults participated in the Summer Youth Employment Program in July and August.
Over 62 teens were accepted into college and enrolled throughout the country for the 2024 – 2025 academic year, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) like Morgan State University, Bowie State University, and Virginia State University.
GOOD CHARACTER & CITIZENSHIP
Madison aims for members to become engaged citizens, involved in their community, and exemplary of strong character. At Madison, our Good Character & Citizenship initiatives instill values, empower personal growth, and nurture our youth to become responsible community members. Our programs inspire a profound sense of responsibility, respect for others, and effective conflict-resolution strategies. Activities include engaging in community service projects like clothing and book drives, fundraising walks, marches for peace, visiting senior citizens, and facilitating opportunities for older youth to mentor their younger peers.
“Over the years I have spent at the Club, I have learned and
cultivated
skills and qualities that I now know are the keys to a successful future.”
– Devin E., 2024 Youth of the Year, Pinkerton Clubhouse
Positive Action, ages 6-10
Explorers learned how to positively influence their Club and community and participated in democratic processes:
‣ 135 Explorers participated.
‣ 191 sessions were offered.
‣ 66% attended at least 50% of all sessions.
Youth
of
Purpose (SMART Girls and Passport to Manhood)
Members demonstrated positive behavior and made healthy decisions:
‣ 138 Juniors and 208 teens participated.
‣ 73% of Juniors and 67% of teens attended
Youth of the Year, ages 13 - 18
75% of cur u ricululum sesssionss.
Teens positively influenced their Club and community, served as role models to younger members, and became inspirational speakers.
‣ 25 members participated.
‣ 80% participated in a service project to benefit the club and community.
Listening Circles, ages 13-18
Teens learned to express themselves effectively, build advocacy skills, and feel empowered.
‣ 345 members participated.
‣On average, sessions were held twice weekly. essions. sport to o Ma M nhoood) d , ages 10-12 and n 133 18 or and made heal a thy y decisiion o s: pated.
Leadership Corps, ages 13-18
Participants contributed to their community, worked as a group (ensuring everyone felt important), and developed a step-by-step plan to reach their goals
‣ 59 members participated.
‣ 88% participated in at least two activities to contribute to their communities.
‣ 88% effectively worked as a group, developing leadership skills such as listening and collaborative decision-making.
HEALTHY LIFESTYLES
Madison encourages members to adopt a healthy diet, practice healthy lifestyle choices, and make a lifelong commitment to fitness. Madison’s commitment to our members extends to their physical and emotional well-being. We recognize the formative nature of habits in early life and aim to instill self-care, good nutrition, exercise, and self-esteem. Madison takes a holistic approach to health, emphasizing mental health and nourishment through recreational and arts programs, which is essential for our mission.
“I first came into the Club as a shy fifth grader who wanted to play in the yard. Today, I walk into the Club as a confident twelfth grader with sharpened leadership and teamwork abilities who now wants to give back to her community.”
– Kiana K., 2024 Youth of the Year, Thomas S. Murphy
Triple Play: Physical Fitness, Nutrition, and Social Recreation, ages 6-18. Members developed a sense of teamwork, athletic abilities, and a healthy lifestyle:
‣1850 participated.
‣67% participated in regular physical activity at least three times per week.
Youth Empowerment Program, Towards No Drugs (TND), ages 14-18. Members understand how to live healthy lives and contribute to the well-being of their community:
‣312 participated.
‣71% increased their knowledge of risks associated with drug and alcohol use.
‣53% participated in at least two Positive Alternative activities, demonstrating healthy lifestyles and positive decision-making.
SUMMER FUN
Summer should be a fun and relaxing time for all kids. Playing sports, exploring nature, and engaging in recreational activities that keep their minds active and skill sets growing. For many families, Madison plays a crucial role in the summer. We open our doors from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., five days a week for seven weeks. We combine festive activities with engaging exercises, reading and listening initiatives, and peer-to-peer learning.
During the summer, 835 youth attended our Summer Fun program:
‣ 281 Explorers
‣ 219 Juniors
‣ 335 Teens
MADISON’S SUMMER YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM
508 teens and young adults participated in the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), engaging in internships and workforce development training while earning a paycheck.
340 young people participated in internships. We collaborated with 62 diverse organizations across New York City to offer enriching job placements. 16-24-year-olds worked more than 35,000 hours, collectively earning over $560,000. Employers include:
‣New York Public Library
‣Curtiss + Ginsberg Architects
‣Jackie Robinson Pool
‣New York City’s Growth and Development Services
168 younger teens (ages 14-15) explored potential career paths, created resumes, practiced interview techniques, and gained workplace negotiation skills. SYEP focused on developing crucial skills through various projects such as Leadership Development and Financial planning. The program emphasized:
‣Mental health awareness
‣Self-care practices
‣Understanding of local public policy
‣Engagement with social justice issues
“Besides my family, the Club staff were the first people to genuinely care about my well-being.”
– Ismail B., 2024 Youth of the Year, Joel E. Smilow Clubhouse
STEAM Program Highlights: Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics STEAM
STEM: Madison provided comprehensive STEM programming to 210 Juniors through our collaboration with Imagine Science, 4-H (Cornell University), Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club, and Harlem Boys & Girls Club. We continued to enhance our STEM offerings, focusing on handson learning experiences that make kids tech and science literate. Our cooperation with Whose Metaverse continued with a “hackathon” where 20 teens developed prototypes of immersive technologies and applied them to create a community impact. With Stem Educational Institute, 10 teens spent their summer at Yankee Stadium, analyzing revenue strategies for the Yankees.
Ballet: Madison continued Misty Copeland’s BE BOLD ballet program at three Clubhouses. 72 members intensively participated in weekly ballet training from Misty Copeland’s team. This program allowed members to express themselves creatively, build self-confidence, and learn healthy habits through movement. Through BE BOLD, our members learned the basics of ballet and better understand the discipline and hard work of being a professional dancer.
Music: This year, Madison’s Notes for Notes music studios served an average of 300 unique youth per month and offered thousands of sessions to individuals and small groups. Youth explored their creativity through songwriting, recording, instrument mastery, podcasting, and performances. Members performed at prestigious venues like Radio City Music Hall and local events, including Madison Got Talent shows and celebrations of Black History Month.
Sports and Health Program Highlights
Soccer for Success: Madison continued a successful partnership with the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s Soccer for Success program. 385 Members participated in regular sessions. Soccer for Success is designed to help kids establish healthy habits and develop critical life skills through coaching and community engagement. Participants learned about the importance of a healthy diet and other ways to stay healthy, and they gained critical decision-making and relationship skills from their interactions with coach-mentors and peers.
Sports Tournaments: Partnering with community-based organizations and other Boys & Girls Clubs in New York, Madison offered over a dozen sports tournaments with at least 686 participants. Tournaments included our Basketball Summer Slam Tournaments, the NYPD Community Basketball Game, the Black History Month Basketball Tournament, and the Thomas S. Murphy in-house Tournament. Tournaments enhanced our outreach efforts and significantly increased new member enrollment.
Food Distribution: Madison continued its food assistance initiatives through bi-monthly pantry events at each Clubhouse to address ongoing food insecurity in our communities. We distributed 197,640 pounds of food, consistently supporting 73 Madison families. Our partnership with Food Bank New York and City Harvest New York ensured families received nutritious pantry staples, fruit, and vegetables.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT
Reflecting on 2024, Madison Square Boys & Girls Club stands proud of its impact across New York City. Our focus on youth’s collective growth and collaborative learning has brightened our Clubs, and we could not have done it without our most trusted supporters.
As we move forward, we do so with renewed dedication to our mission and a deep appreciation for the community that supports us. With the continued support of partners like you and the commitment of our staff and volunteers, we are poised to reach new heights in empowering the youth of New York City. Together, we will continue to build a brighter future, one young person at a time, ensuring that more kids can learn to tackle life’s challenges with strength and resilience.
Thank you!
