Tennessee Needs Club Kids.
The future of the Volunteer State depends on the strength of our youth. Boys & Girls Clubs in Tennessee works to secure the statewide funding and resources that transform local Clubs into launchpads. We believe that when our kids thrive, Tennessee thrives.
Building a Stronger State
With 20 organizations and 134 Clubs across the state, we are preparing the next generation of productive, caring, and responsible citizens.
- Fueling Academic Success: We provide the support kids need today to become the workforce of tomorrow.
- Mentorship That Matters: Connecting youth with leaders who inspire them to give back to their Tennessee communities.
- Essential Foundations: Providing safe spaces and healthy meals so every child has the “fuel” to reach their full potential.
Making a Difference for Kids in Tennessee.
The Need
Childcare & the Economy
The lack of affordable, high-quality childcare isn’t just a family issue—it’s an economic one.
- The Breaking Point: In 2025, the median cost for infant center-based care rose to $13,926 annually, making it more expensive than in-state tuition at any of Tennessee’s four-year public universities.
- Economic Drain: Childcare challenges result in an estimated $2.3 billion in annual lost earnings and revenue for the Tennessee economy.
- The Waiting List: Over 250,000 Tennessee children are not currently enrolled in out-of-school programs but would participate if a spot were available.
Education & Literacy
The transition from “learning to read” to “reading to learn” happens in the 3rd grade, yet many of our students are being left behind.
- Proficiency Gap: While progress is being made, 58% of Tennessee 3rd graders still fall short of the ELA (English Language Arts) proficiency benchmark on state TCAP testing.
Youth Mental Health
Our youth are facing unprecedented internal pressure.
- The Coping Crisis: Recent data shows that nearly 20% of Tennessee adolescents screened positive for depression in 2025—the highest level recorded by the state.
- Emotional Resilience: Boys & Girls Clubs are vital in this space, as national data suggests that while 75% of youth know ways to calm themselves down, 42% of high schoolers still report feeling persistently sad or hopeless.
Workforce Development
The Volunteer State is growing, but our future workforce needs a foundation.
- A Capable Future: To maintain Tennessee’s economic and cultural momentum, we must provide safe spaces that offer more than just supervision. We offer a pipeline for workforce readiness, connecting 134 Clubs worth of talent to the mentors and skills they need to lead.
The Impact of Boys & Girls Clubs in Tennessee
Childcare (OST Care)
- 35,000+ members served annually
- Open 245 days (more than 1,500 hours per year)
- Clubs added 11,501* new youth served annually from 2022-2025, with 75% from low-income families
a 45% increase)
Academic Support
- Providing daily enrichment and small group intensive tutoring to promote academic proficiency
Youth Mental Health
- Preventive and intervention strategies and activities to ensure members develop positive self-image, relationships, and decision-making skill
Workforce Development
- Providing experiences for members to have hands-on career exploration and gain first-job skills
Sources: 1. FFYF/Tennesseans for Quality Early Education (2025/2026); 2. Tennessee Afterschool Network; 3. TN Department of Education TCAP Results (07/2025); 4. Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth “State of the Child” Report (2025); 5. Boys & Girls Clubs of America “Youth Right Now” (2025).