Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Redlands-Riverside exists because every young person deserves caring adults who believe in them, a safe place to belong and opportunities to succeed—regardless of their zip code, income or circumstances.
Across the Inland Empire, many children and families face challenges such as poverty, food insecurity, housing instability and other barriers that limit access to the support and experiences every child deserves.
“We exist to help close those gaps,” shared Michael Wells, Chief Executive Officer of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Redlands-Riverside. “That is our why – the belief that potential is equally distributed, but opportunity is not, and that every child deserves the chance to discover what is possible.”
Through their clubhouses, school-based sites and community programs, the Redlands-based nonprofit provides safe, welcoming environments where children ages 5 to 18 can build confidence, develop positive relationships, discover new interests and prepare for the future.
In 2025, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Redlands-Riverside served over 15,000 youth across 57 program locations in San Bernardino and Riverside counties. Every day, children and teens walked through their doors to receive academic support, nutritious meals and snacks, mentorship and opportunities that help them succeed in school and in life. Teens explore career pathways and leadership opportunities, while younger members build foundational skills that support lifelong learning.
The impact extends beyond the young people served; it also strengthens families. Through the Family Strengthening program, families experiencing food insecurity receive weekly groceries and connections to community resources.
Perhaps the most meaningful measure of impact comes directly from club members. Ninety percent of youth report feeling accepted at the Club. For many families, that sense of connection and consistency is just as valuable as the programs offered.
Take George, for example. He has been attending the Boys & Girls Club for the past two years, starting in transitional kindergarten. His mom shares that George’s confidence has grown and he has become more social and independent.
“George absolutely loves coming to the Club. Every day he comes home excited to tell us about what he learned and experienced. What means the most to us is how caring, friendly, and supportive the staff are. They make George feel safe, welcomed, and valued, and as parents, knowing he is surrounded by people who genuinely care for him gives us tremendous peace of mind,” shared George’s mom.
The Club has also supported their family through food distributions, the Back-to-School Shopping program, and by providing encouragement as they welcomed another child, helping George adjust to becoming a big brother with kindness and support.
“Boys & Girls Clubs has become much more than a program to us. It feels like a second family.”
In 2025, IEHP Foundation awarded the Boys & Girls Club a responsive grant to strengthen outreach to families who need it most. Each week, the organization provides nutritious, fresh groceries to 160 families. The investment allowed the organization to continue meeting a critical need while easing the financial burden on local families.
The grant also funded educational supplies, books, STEM materials and classroom resources for children in transitional kindergarten through third grade. These resources enrich daily programming, spark curiosity and help prepare young learners for success in the classroom.
“This investment allowed us to keep nutritious groceries flowing to families facing food insecurity, put educational resources in the hands of our youngest learners, and create a safer environment for youth at our Dennis Hansberger Clubhouse. We’re grateful for a partner that shows up where it matters most,” shared Wells.
Additionally, Boys & Girls Club is participated in the 2026 Fundraising for Vibrant Health Cohort, aimed at strengthening individual donor development and major gifts.
“The collaborative nature of the fundraising classes has been so helpful to learn from others that are at various stages of their careers,” shared Jessica Brown, Vice President of Resource Development. “It’s been nice to workshop ideas with fellow fundraisers.”
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Redlands-Riverside continues to meet young people and their families where they are, providing programs and services that improve health and well-being, including programming at IEHP’s Community Wellness Center in Victorville. This work reinforces the shared belief that healthy communities are built by investing in young people and the families who support them.