Launching Our Annual Campaign: Empowering Clifton’s Youth for the Future

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1C6uIbgsCb0

Opening Doors to a Future-Ready Generation at Boys & Girls Club of Clifton

At the Boys & Girls Club of Clifton, we believe every young person deserves the chance to step into a bright, successful future. For more than 165 years, Boys & Girls Clubs nationwide have been opening doors for kids and teens—helping them gain the skills, confidence, and opportunities they need to thrive in school, careers, and life. Here in Clifton, that mission is alive and well, as we continue to prepare our youth to be future-ready leaders, innovators, and changemakers.

Opening the Door to Opportunity

Every day at our Club, we see firsthand how opening doors early on can make all the difference. Whether it’s through engaging STEM programs, leadership workshops, or creative arts projects, we provide a safe, supportive space where young people discover their passions and build the skills that will serve them for a lifetime.

Opening the door means more than just access—it means guidance, encouragement, and the tools needed to unlock potential. Our members learn critical life skills like teamwork, problem-solving, and perseverance, setting them up to navigate the challenges and opportunities of the future with confidence.

Preparing Youth to Be Future Ready

Being future ready is about more than academics. It’s about developing the whole person. At Boys & Girls Club of Clifton, our Future Ready initiatives focus on equipping youth with skills in technology, leadership, and career exploration. These programs are designed to prepare members not just for their next step, but for a lifetime of growth and success.

We know that the world our kids will inherit is constantly changing—and that’s why preparing them today is so essential. By investing in our youth now, we’re opening the door to a generation that will innovate, lead, and uplift our community and beyond.

Join Us in Opening Doors

The Boys & Girls Club of Clifton is proud to be part of a movement that is shaping the future, one young person at a time. We invite parents, volunteers, and community members to join us in opening doors and creating opportunities for our youth. Together, we can ensure every child has a path to a bright and promising future.

Click here to make a donation and support the campaign

Let’s open the door to a future-ready generation—right here in Clifton.

by BGCC

Dinner Is Served! New USDA Grant Brings Free Meals to Club Kids

This past Monday, October 6th, we launched a dinner program across all 15 of our sites here in Clifton. Made possible through a grant from the USDA and in partnership with Pomptonian Food Service, this initiative ensures that every child in our after-school programs receives a hot meal before heading home for the evening.

In addition to after-school meals, our Gingerbread House early childhood members are now offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily — providing full-day nutrition for our youngest learners and supporting working families who rely on consistent, healthy meals for their children.

According to the USDA, 13.5% of U.S. households — about 18 million families — faced food insecurity in 2023. It’s a challenge that touches many in our community. We see hardworking parents doing their best, kids who could use extra support, and families stretched thin. Our dinner program is one way we respond — with nourishing meals, compassion, and a reminder that no one is alone.

“Kids need fuel, and families need relief — so we’re grateful to help,” said Gabe, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Clifton.

The program is already making a difference.

“The kids are really enjoying having a hot meal after school,” said Paula Benjamin, Program Director. “The parents are also very pleased. We’re proud to be taking steps to ensure no child in our care suffers from food insecurity.”

At the Boys & Girls Club of Clifton, we focus on supporting the whole child — academically, emotionally, physically — and that begins with the basics. No child can focus, grow, or thrive on an empty stomach.

We are deeply thankful to the USDA, Pomptonian Food Service, our staff, and our families for making this program a success. Together, we’re not just serving meals — we’re strengthening futures, one dinner at a time.

To learn more about the Boys & Girls Club of Clifton or how you can support our mission, visit bgcclifton.org.

by BGCC

Carter’s Launches In-Store Giving Campaign to Support Boys & Girls Club of Clifton

This back-to-school season, Carter’s Inc. is partnering with Boys & Girls Clubs of America to support kids across the country—and right here in Clifton.

Starting today, August 20, Carter’s customers in the Clifton area can make a difference in the lives of local youth by making a donation at checkout at participating Carter’s stores. The in-store giving campaign will run through October 18, with proceeds directly benefiting the Boys & Girls Club of Clifton’s programs.

"We’re proud to partner with Carter’s on this campaign that directly benefits the kids and families here in Clifton,” said Gabe Blau, Boys & Girls Club of Clifton CEO. “Support from Carter’s and their customers helps us provide essential programs and resources that empower our members to succeed in school and in life. Every dollar donated makes a real impact, right here in our community.”

How You Can Help

When shopping at Carter’s between now until October 18, customers can choose to add a $1, $3, or $5 donation at checkout. Every dollar counts and stays local—directly supporting the Clifton Club and the kids it serves.

Your Donations at Work

• $1 can help a child ace a test or give a teen 20 minutes of leadership training

• $3 provides 18 minutes of hands-on programming

• $5 can feed two kids after school or give a child access to a team sport

• For every $1 donated, $10.32 in economic benefits is generated for the community

This campaign is part of Carter’s national initiative to help children recover from learning loss and continue building essential life skills through fun, enriching experiences.

To learn more or donate online, visit: BGCA.org/Carters

by BGCC

Empowering the Future: Boys & Girls Club of Clifton Receives $50,000 Taco Bell Foundation Grant

We’re thrilled to announce that the Boys & Girls Club of Clifton has been selected as a recipient of a 2025 Community Grant from the Taco Bell Foundation, a generous $50,000 award that will directly benefit our teen-focused career exploration programs!

This incredible support from the Taco Bell Foundation means more than just funding. It means expanded access to real-world experiences, one-on-one mentorship, and critical resources that help teens in our community prepare for meaningful, long-term careers. Whether our members are discovering new career paths, learning to network, or gaining hands-on experience, this grant will help us deepen our impact where it matters most.

“This grant allows us to reach more students with the tools and guidance they need to build a successful future,” said Gabe Blau, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Clifton. “Taco Bell is ensuring we have the resources necessary to help teens become independent, productive adults. We’re deeply grateful for this continued partnership.”

The Boys & Girls Club of Clifton was proudly nominated for this grant by HAZA Bell of Northeast, a dedicated Taco Bell franchisee that operates locations in Little Falls, Passaic, Belleville, and surrounding areas. We’re grateful for their belief in our mission and their ongoing commitment to the youth in our community.

This year, the Taco Bell Foundation awarded a record-breaking $28 million in Community Grants to nearly 500 nonprofit organizations nationwide. That’s $28 million fueling the dreams and ambitions of young people across the country—and we’re honored to be part of this movement.

“We believe that empowering young people is one of the most meaningful ways we can invest in the future,” said Lisa Lane Cardin, Executive Director of the Taco Bell Foundation. “This record investment is a testament to the power of community-driven change and the limitless potential that exists when we remove barriers and open doors.”

At the Boys & Girls Club of Clifton, we believe that every young person deserves the opportunity to succeed. Thanks to the Taco Bell Foundation, we’re taking bold steps to ensure our teens are ready to face the future with confidence, purpose, and possibility.

Stay tuned as we roll out expanded programs made possible by this grant—and thank you to our partners, supporters, and community members who make this work possible every single day.

To learn more about the Taco Bell Foundation and the Community Grants program, please visit: https://www.tacobellfoundation.org/who-we-support/

by BGCC

Help Protect Affordable Care at The Club

Dear Boys & Girls Club of Clifton Families,

We want to make you aware of important changes to New Jersey’s Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) that will take effect on August 1, 2025. These changes will directly affect many of the families we serve, as well as our Club’s ability to provide affordable, high-quality care.

Here’s what’s changing:

• Family co-payments are increasing.

• New CCAP applications will be paused temporarily.

These changes come after New Jersey’s final state budget was approved with a $30 million shortfall in CCAP funding. As a result, there isn’t enough support to keep enrollment open for all eligible families.

We know how critical CCAP is to so many in our community—it helps working families afford care and allows us to keep our programs accessible to everyone. Even though the budget is finalized, your voice still matters. By sharing your personal story, you can help state legislators understand how these funding cuts are affecting real people—your family, your child, your Club.

What You Can Do:

Please take a few minutes to email your State Assemblymembers and Senators. Tell them how these changes will affect your ability to afford care or keep your child enrolled at the Boys & Girls Club of Clifton.

👉 Click here to contact your legislators now.

Together, we can advocate for increased access to this essential program and ensure families like yours aren’t left behind.

If you need help contacting your representatives or want to share your story, please reach out to our team—we’re here to support you.

Thank you for being part of our Club family.

by BGCC

Important Health Alert — Measles Case Confirmed in North Jersey

Dear Club Families,

We are reaching out with an important health alert shared by the Clifton Health Department and the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) regarding a confirmed case of measles in our region. While this case involves a resident of Hudson County and is not currently linked to the previously reported Ocean County case, we want to make sure all our families are informed and prepared.

At this time, New Jersey is not experiencing a measles outbreak, which the CDC defines as three or more related cases. However, due to measles being highly contagious, the NJDOH is urging everyone—especially parents, guardians, caregivers, and healthcare providers—to take precautions and ensure they and their children are up to date on their MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccinations.

Know the Symptoms:

Measles typically starts with:

• High fever

• Cough

• Runny nose

• Watery, red eyes

A rash usually appears 3–5 days after symptoms begin, starting on the face and spreading downward. Measles can cause serious complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis (brain swelling), and in pregnant individuals, it can lead to miscarriage or premature birth.

Potential Exposure Locations & Dates

If you or your child visited any of the locations listed below during the specified dates and times, you may have been exposed:

• University Hospital, Newark
  July 4, 2025 | 5:30 PM – 10:15 PM

• Hackensack University Medical Center – Pediatric ER
  July 4, 2025 | 11:15 PM – July 5, 2:30 AM
  July 8, 2025 | 12:45 AM – 7:15 AM

• Joseph M. Sanzari Children's Hospital, Hackensack
  July 8, 2025 | 5:15 AM – July 9, 4:30 PM

• Roast’d Coffee, Jersey City
  July 6, 2025 | 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM

• Newport Mall, Jersey City
  July 6, 2025 | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

• Al-Basha Restaurant, Paterson
  July 6, 2025 | 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM

• Elite Pediatrics, Elmwood Park
  July 7, 2025 | 10:00 AM – 1:45 PM

• CVS Pharmacy, Kearny
  July 7, 2025 | 12:30 PM – 3:00 PM

What to Do If You Think You Were Exposed:

If you or a family member may have been exposed or are showing symptoms:

• Do not go directly to a medical facility.

• Instead, call your doctor or local health department first so they can arrange a safe evaluation and avoid putting others at risk.

For updated exposure information and more guidance, visit the NJDOH’s official page here:
🔗 https://www.nj.gov/health/measles

Keeping Our Club Safe

At The Club, the health and safety of our members, staff, and families remain our top priority. We are monitoring the situation closely and are in communication with local health officials. If any further action is needed, we will keep you informed.

Thank you for your continued support and cooperation in helping to keep our community healthy.

Stay safe,
The Boys & Girls Club of Clifton Team

📞 Questions? Call the Clifton Health Department: 973-470-5778

by BGCC