Dear BGCSF Families, Friends, Supporters, and Community,
As we celebrate Thanksgiving, I want to call attention to some of the things for which we are grateful and proud.
Above all, we are grateful that our Clubs and Camp continue to thrive, always putting the best interest of our youth members first. In August, we opened our 14 Clubhouses in San Francisco and our second new Club since the start of the pandemic. We now have eight traditional Clubhouses and six School-Based Clubs, as well as Camp Mendocino, in Mendocino County.
Throughout the year, youth turn to BGCSF and our skilled and caring staff to receive educational guidance, engage in career exploration, be mentored, build new skills, and gain confidence. Our beautiful Clubhouses provide a second home for young people all year long. During the holidays, youth and staff come together to celebrate some of the most meaningful traditions of the year.
I want to thank our current members and families for their commitment and trust in our program. I also want to thank our incredible staff for their ongoing dedication. As always, I am grateful to all of our volunteers, including our Board Members, and our donors for making the Club a priority in their lives. Our organization remains strong because of the collective support of our entire community.
Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco!
Sincerely,
Rob Connolly
President, Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco
At Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco, our mission is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens. Every day, our staff focus on creating safe spaces, meaningful relationships, and high-quality programs that help youth thrive.While we are not experts in areas such as immigration, food security, or healthcare, we understand that challenges such as this affect many families we serve. To help connect families with reliable sources of information and support, we’ve compiled a list of suggested community resources to investigate further.
This week, our Citywide Youth of the Year, Elda, competed in Boys & Girls Clubs of America's 2025 National Youth of the Year competition in Los Angeles. While she did not take home the national title, Elda’s recognition as one of six finalists nationwide is an incredible achievement and a testament to her determination, leadership, and the support of her community.
In a time marked by division, growing uncertainty, and financial instability, the families we serve are carrying a lot—and so are young people. From global conflict, political tensions, natural disasters, government funding cuts, and immigration enforcement, the emotional weight of the moment is real for families and communities. Kids are absorbing it, often without the tools to understand or express what they’re feeling. That’s why spaces like Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF) are more important than ever.