Project Learn!

Project Learn is the Club’s year-round, research-based academic enhancement model delivered at the newly renovated Clubhouse and through school partnerships. During critical out-of-school hours, trained staff weave high-yield learning into engaging activities—PowerHour homework help and tutoring, leisure reading, writing, STEM and arts projects, discussions with caring adults, and leadership building. The program pairs daily academic support with social-emotional learning, mentorship, and quarterly family engagement nights, so parents/guardians stay connected to kids’ progress. Quality is tracked through BGCA’s National Youth Outcomes Initiative (NYOI) and Youth Program Quality Assessment to drive continuous improvement.

The Club removes key barriers for ALICE families by offering no-cost membership and operating in neighborhoods where need is highest. Most members attend Muskegon Public Schools, where many students are economically disadvantaged and too many struggle with proficiency and engagement. By making non-school hours safe, structured, and fun—and by adding Summer Brain Gain to combat learning loss—Project Learn boosts attendance, behavior, grades, and confidence. Local evaluations note gains in reading/math and GPA, plus reduced suspensions; at one site, nearly half of participating middle-schoolers reached the honor roll.

Why United Way supports it
This program squarely advances our Youth Success strategy: it provides individualized and group academic supports, actively engages families, and builds college/career readiness—without cost barriers. With strong partnerships (district leaders, volunteers, retired educators, and BGCA), clear metrics (NYOI), and a proven daily routine (PowerHour), Project Learn helps Muskegon youth close achievement gaps, stay on track to graduate, and build Great Futures.