From the Desk of David A. SmithPresident and Club Alumnus, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City

A child’s smile is contagious, wouldn’t you agree? Can you think of a time when you were down and a child’s smiling face didn’t bring a bit of joy to your heart? For nearly 100 years, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City has been spreading the epidemic of smiles across the Kansas City area.  It is our goal to help develop self-esteem, instill good values, and teach the skills needed to succeed in life for boys and girls, ages 5-18, with special emphasis on youth from disadvantaged circumstances. This year, nearly 7,000 children will join the Club and participate in activities under the guidance of caring, trained staff and volunteers.

In our Club programming, there are five core areas where each child has the opportunity to learn and develop in order to brighten their futures and live out their dreams. These five core program areas include: character and leadership development; health and life skills; the arts; education/technology and career development; and sports/fitness and recreation. The Clubs are also home to the RBI (Reviving Baseball in the Inner City) program, and the RIF (Reading is Fundamental) program.

I invite you to learn a little more about us through this web site and extend an open invitation to stop by one of our Clubs sites for a tour sometime. Once you see the great work being done, the opportunity these programs bring to our youth, and the chance to make a difference, just like smiles – you will catch the desire to help and improve the future of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City.

So join the Club and help us inspire our youth to live out their greatest dreams!

David A. Smith, President & Club Alumnus