Dear Club Advocate:
It’s the first day of school — a fresh start, full of energy and possibility. At the Boys & Girls Club of Palm Springs, we’re ready. After an incredible summer filled with learning, laughter, and growth, we’re stepping into the new academic year with excitement and purpose.
Summer Learning Program Recap:
Over six weeks, we welcomed more than 150 kids and teens into a summer program designed to keep them engaged and thriving. Research shows that students can lose up to nearly 40% of their school-year progress over the summer if they stay idle. That’s why we focused on Summer Brain Gain, daily enrichment, and hands-on learning — to help kids stay sharp and confident.
We also served as a cooling center during the hottest weeks of summer, and made sure no child went hungry by providing daily meals and snacks to fight food insecurity.
Thanks to our incredible community partners, we gave our youth experiences they might not otherwise have:
*Field trips to museums, colleges, and cultural centers
*A special outing to the LA Sparks WNBA game at Crypto Arena
*Ice skating at Acrisure Arena
*Overnight camping experiences at the Pathfinder Ranch
*A summer finale at Knott’s Berry Farm
*Water days with the Palm Springs Fire Department, complete with fire engine hose fun and interactive play
*W.A.V.E. Program with focus on aquatics activities that promote water safety, build confidence, and give kids a chance to simply have fun in the pool
We’re also proud to be a Certified Autism Center, ensuring that every child regardless of ability, feels welcomed, supported, and empowered.
Please take a few minutes to view our video recap: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/kas7zrl6e1xn05h8wn2jx/Bounce-into-summer-3.mp4?rlkey=upb9pmmekgzbjpcj6mpk4f28m&st=j5rc70mn&dl=0
Our Youth of the Year:
One of the brightest lights in our Club is Tiffany Xa, a senior at Palm Springs High School and our 2025 Youth of the Year. Tiffany has been a Club member for 11 years, maintaining a 4.0+ GPA, taking AP courses, and volunteering nearly 300 hours through our Keystone Club. She’s taught swim lessons, mentored younger members, and even helped with budgeting and fundraising.
Tiffany said it best:
“We have the power to change the lives around us for the better. I believe it is our duty to create the path for those after us.”
This fall, Tiffany will attend Cal State San Bernardino, majoring in Business Administration. Her story is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when we invest in youth.
In case you missed it, The Palm Springs Post highlighted Tiffany in June: https://thepalmspringspost.com/meet-tiffany-xa-a-palm-springs-teen-who-believes-in-creating-paths-for-those-who-come-after-her/?fbclid=IwY2xjawL_p09leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHnm4B_tKiqlTmlZnstqv8kSAsI2bf-ecC_gd8a96QA5womeK7BlalRIeksPw_aem_aGdfKzVh7bqCXQJ0Lx1EGg
Looking Ahead:
With a stronger partnership with Palm Springs Unified School District and other like-mission organizations, we’re anticipating record enrollment this school year. We’re relaunching our WAVE and gymnastics programs and expanding our reach to serve even more families.
But with growth comes greater need.
This year has brought funding challenges. As a self-funded nonprofit, we rely entirely on community support — and we’ve seen delays in donor commitments and cuts in traditional funding sources.
That’s why our upcoming “Be a Hero for Kids” Halloween Bash on October 26, 2025, is so important. It’s our largest annual fundraiser, and it helps us keep our doors open and our programs thriving. This year, we are pleased to be honoring Dr. Tony & Sylvia Signoret as our Inspiration Award recipients and DO THE RIGHT THING as our Champion for Youth. If you are not yet a sponsor and would like to support our event, or for additional information, please visit our website:.
https://www.bgcps.org/halloween-bash-2025/
Whether you attend, donate, or share our story, you’re helping us build a brighter future for Palm Springs youth — kids like Tiffany, and the hundreds more who walk through our doors every day.
With gratitude,
