The Club was created as a result of concerned and dedicated community individuals. In 1989, 15 board members of community leaders identified the need for quality after school programming for youth in the City of Carson. Bounded by Harbor City and Wilmington, where gang injunctions were passed by the City of Los Angeles, the threat of gang activity, rising high school drop out rates, and lack of resources for youth became the impetus of the creation of the Club. In 1991, the Boys and Girls Club of Carson obtained non-profit status. The following year, the Club opened its doors to 100 eager boys and girls.
Today, we serve over 800 youth a day from ten sites throughout the City of Carson, Compton and Watts/Willowbrook - two elementary school sites (Bonita Street Elementary and Towne Avenue Elementary), four middle school sites (Carnegie Middle School, Stephen White Middle School, Markham Middle School and Muir Middle School) three high schools (Carson High School, Leroy Locke High School and King Drew High School), and our Main Street Clubhouse in Carson.
Last year, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Carson served over 2,100 youth (from ages 6 - 18 years old) from the City of Carson - 48% in elementary school, 22% in middle school, and 29% in high school. The majority of the youth we serve (87%) are eligible for free or reduced lunch. They represent the City of Carson's diverse population - 39% Hispanic, 32% African American, 20% Asian, 1% Multi-Racial, 2% Caucasian, and 6% Other.
