After School Programming - Transforming the most vunerable part of the day to the most valuable

This proposal to request essential funding to sustain and expand our comprehensive child and youth after-school programs, which effectively counteract the documented peak hours of youth vulnerability. BGC Camrose provides a safe, supportive, and purpose-driven environment proven to instill critical life skills and foster resilience while reducing participation in high-risk behaviors. The Learning and Impact Project through BGC Canada (participant self assessment tool) confirms our above-average survey results, that demonstrate we are not simply occupying time, but actively shaping the positive developmental trajectories of children and youth in our community. Investing in our program is a direct, data-backed investment in public safety, academic success, and the future workforce.

The Critical Need: Closing the 3-6 PM Vulnerability Window

Research consistently identifies the hours between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.—the time immediately following school dismissal—as the peak period for juvenile crime, experimentation, and engagement in high-risk activities. This window, when students are often unsupervised, represents a critical developmental gap where idleness and negative peer influence rapidly increase the likelihood of delinquency.

Key findings that underscore the urgency of our work include:
• Peak Crime Rates: The 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. timeframe is the highest-risk period for youth crime on weekdays.
• Substance Use Initiation: This is considered the peak window for first-time experimentation with alcohol, drugs, and cigarettes. Teens who lack organized activities are nearly three times more likely to use marijuana or other drugs compared to their peers who participate in structured programs.
• Unsupervised Socializing: Unstructured time with peers increases the risk of early sexual activity, violence, and general delinquency. High-quality after-school supervision is directly correlated with a decrease in these unsupervised hours.

Our objective is simple: to transform the most vulnerable time of day into the most valuable time of day. The most effective defense against these risks is a high-quality, structured program that provides consistent adult supervision and positive, engaging activities.

Our Solution: The Power of Purpose-Driven Programs

Our mission is the foundation of our success, guiding every interaction and activity we offer. We are dedicated to providing:

"A safe, supportive place where children and youth can experience new opportunities, overcome barriers, build positive relationships and develop confidence and skills for life."
This holistic mission directly addresses the key risk factors prevalent during the after-school hours, establishing BGC Camrose as a comprehensive protective factor for youth development.

Building Protective Shields Against Risk

Our diverse programs—spanning social, recreational, educational, and leadership activities—are intentionally designed to target the unique needs of children and youth from Grade 1 through 12, ensuring structured, positive engagement across all developmental stages.

Our foundational program, Kid Way (Grades 1-5) serves as the core intervention during the high-risk 3-6 PM window. Kid Way provide immediate safety and structure through consistent adult supervision. Beyond basic safety, this program provides skill acquisition and future-readiness through specialized programs offered within the Kid Way program such as Kid Food Nation (Cooking & Food Literacy), Kid Tech Nation (Coding & Computer Literacy), and Eco Warriors (exploring nature and the world around us through interactive games and crafts). Children also gain experience in physical literacy by participating in various sporting activities (such as skating, soccer, floor hockey, volleyball, etc).

As youth mature, our focus shifts to developing Leadership and Social Capacity. Our Youth Mentor Program (Grades 6-8) and Junior Volunteer Program (Grades 9-12), shift youth from being service recipients to active contributors and role models. This high level of engagement fosters responsibility, pro-social networks, and a strong sense of purpose, which are the most durable defenses against high-risk choices in adolescence. Our Learn On Program (Employment Readiness) further supports this goal, by developing job readiness skills building self-efficacy and competence.

Proven Impact: Data-Driven Results & Funding Request

Quantifiable Success: Learning and Impact Project

The Learning and Impact Project is Multi-year project (past 4 years +) of BGC Canada designed to prove & improve the impact of Clubs across Canada. It allows Clubs to build their capacity to collect data on the effects of the Club experience. It has helped us understand & improve our impact in the lives of the children & youth we serve. The survey is designed to discover how children and youth who attend Club are developing in four key areas: positive relationships, healthy living, lifelong learning, and leadership.

Our commitment to continuous learning allows us to rigorously track our impact. The most recent responses from our youth survey, which consistently outperform benchmark averages, provide concrete evidence of our success in delivering on our mission. Our 2025 results below showcase the high percentage of youth reporting they feel the club's impact “A Little”, "Some" or "A Lot":

Here are a few of our findings (one from each of the key areas) that demonstrate the club environment is achieving fundamental shifts in children and youth behavior and emotional health.

Because of the Club:
• 99% of children and youth are better at working through arguments with others
• 100% of children and youth feel more confident about the future
• 96% of children and youth feel better prepared to do their schoolwork
• 99% of children and youth feel more comfortable leading

The Investment Opportunity

Our programs are not an expense; they are a necessary preventative measure with a proven return on investment in the form of healthier, more engaged, and more capable young citizens. Every dollar invested prevents future costs associated with juvenile justice involvement, substance abuse treatment, and underachievement.

Your donations will go along way to help fund our Kid Way, Youth Mentor and Junior Volunteer Programs.

By partnering with us, you will directly enable us to close the 3-6 PM vulnerability window, ensuring that more youth have access to the safe place, positive relationships, and essential life skills they need to thrive. We look forward to discussing how your support can fuel our continued success and further elevate these vital impact results.