SHELTON, CT [August 2025 ] In a world that often feels more divided and disconnected than ever, even the most resilient adults have felt the strain. So, imagine what it’s like to be a young person. Nearly 40% of high school students report persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. Compounding this startling statistic, academic progress since 2020 has seen significant setbacks, with reading and math scores dropping to levels not seen in decades. Here in the Naugatuck Valley, we see the impact of these interconnected challenges on our own kids. These young people – the future doctors, teachers, small business owners, and community volunteers of The Valley – deserve our unwavering support. Ignoring the challenges they face would be a disservice to their potential and a missed opportunity for our community’s future. The good news is a solution exists right here in The Valley: quality afterschool programs at Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley.
More than just a place to go after school, Boys & Girls Clubs open the door to a future generation of leaders who will propel our community and our country forward. Our Club is a lifeline, a bridge connecting school, community, and home. While nationally, only about half of kids and teens in the U.S. have access to afterschool programs, we are working hard to offer safe, accessible, and affordable spaces where young people feel seen, supported and set on a path to reach their full potential.
Nationally, more than 80% of Boys & Girls Club Kids report getting grades of mostly A’s or mostly B’s in the last school year. Research also shows that young people who participate in out-of-school time programs, like ours, spend more time engaged in academic and extracurricular activities, developing more positive study habits and school behaviors.
At Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley, we see firsthand how enriching afterschool experiences build essential skills and foster critical engagement that helps young people thrive. Here, kids might be expressing their creativity in our art studio, learning teamwork on our basketball court or engaging in meaningful conversation during Smart Girls or Passport to Manhood. These opportunities complement their school day, providing extra avenues to build confidence and prepare for what comes after graduation – skills that aren’t always equally available in every school setting.
Beyond academics, our Club addresses the evolving challenges of growing up in a digital world and navigating complex emotions. We know that 90% of Club youth say they have the emotional intelligence to understand how their feelings influence their actions, and two- thirds of teen girls in Boys & Girls Clubs reduce their social media time after participating in self-esteem programs. Through playtime in our Exergame rooms and gym time, we see the positive benefits on our kids and teens every day.
Our Club also fosters a vital sense of belonging and support. An overwhelming 95% of Boys & Girls Club teens say they have an adult at the Club they can talk with about their problems. This stands in stark contrast to the national average, where only 40% of teens feel they have such an adult at school. But quality matters. At Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley, our trained youth development professionals are more than supervisors; they are mentors who build trusting relationships and provide critical guidance and support. By expanding access to high-quality afterschool programs, we’re not just investing in our youth; we’re investing in the America of tomorrow, which will be shaped by the way we support kids today. Kids who are empowered and equipped to excel will become the leaders who can solve some of this generation’s—and our community’s—most pressing challenges.
“When I first came to the Club, I was really shy and didn’t know many kids. But my counselors made me feel welcome right away. Now it’s like a second home to me- love playing basketball after school. I also love Passport to Manhood, where we can talk openly and have great discussions about growing up and becoming responsible adults. The Club feels like a second home to me.” – A Shelton Club member
The reality is clear: the young people of The Valley – and across America – need the consistent support and enriching experiences that high-quality afterschool programs provide. The fact that so many lack access is a challenge we must address urgently. A generation of prepared and resilient young people will strengthen our community for years to come – but it takes us all working together to support them today.
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THE VALLEY NEEDS CLUB KIDS. CLUB KIDS NEED YOU.