Building the Next Generation of Leaders, Innovators, and Entrepreneurs

At the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Michigan (BGCSM), we are more than just an after-school program. We are a launch pad for youth seeking to become career-ready, startup-savvy, and even future homeowners. Our Industry Clubs are at the heart of this mission, providing young people with the skills, confidence, and hands-on experiences they need to thrive in the modern workforce.

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Why Industry Clubs?

A report by the Brookings Institution and Child Trends, Pathways to High-Quality Jobs for Young Adults, analyzed employment outcomes for young adults from low-income backgrounds and communities of color. The findings indicate that work-based learning experiences in high school, such as internships and apprenticeships that foster positive relationships with adults, can lead to better-quality jobs for these youth by age 30. Additionally, holding a job during adolescence (ages 16 to 18) is associated with higher job quality and wages by age 23. 

To give our youth the best career on-ramp possible, BGCSM developed Industry Clubs, a revolutionary workforce development initiative that prepares youth aged 14 and up for real-world career paths through immersive training in high-demand industries. From fashion and entertainment to technology and sports, our Industry Clubs offer Detroit’s young people a unique opportunity to explore their passions, gain professional skills, and develop the entrepreneurial mindset needed for success.

By blending industry-specific knowledge with cross-functional skills like communication, time management, and technical proficiency, each Industry Club ensures that participants not only learn but excel. Our goal is simple: empower Detroit’s youth to become leaders, innovators, and homeowners in the future.

Check out how BGCSM’s Industry Clubs are creating national attention:

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