Boys & Girls Club of Topeka

Contact Person: Dawn McWilliams
Address: 550 SE 27th St, Topeka, KS 66605
Phone: 785-409-4108
Email: dawnmcwilliams@bgctopeka.org
Website: www.bgctopeka.org
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday, 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Organization Overview

The Boys & Girls Club of Topeka is committed to providing essential workforce development services for youth, especially those who are economically disadvantaged, involved in the criminal justice system, or face barriers to educational attainment. Their goal is to help young people build the skills and confidence they need to succeed in life, focusing on leadership development and career readiness.

Target Demographics

The Boys & Girls Club of Topeka serves a diverse group of youth, including:

Youth:
- English language learners, immigrants, refugees, and bilingual or multilingual youth
- Youth from low-income families, homeless or housing-insecure youth, and underserved communities
- Youth transitioning out of foster care or involved in child welfare services
- Youth involved in the criminal justice system (juvenile justice system, probation, diversion programs)
- LGBTQ+ youth, youth facing discrimination or family rejection, and youth seeking gender-affirming services
- Youth with limited educational attainment, including high school dropouts and those with interrupted formal education
- Teen parents or youth balancing parenthood with education or work
- Youth at risk for substance abuse or involved in prevention programs
- Youth experiencing trauma or abuse or facing mental health challenges

Services Offered

The Boys & Girls Club of Topeka provides comprehensive career readiness and workforce development services:

Job Placement & Work-Based Learning Opportunities:

Full-time and part-time job placements
Paid and unpaid internship placements
Job shadowing and paid work-based learning placements
Temporary job placement

Career Readiness Services:

Job search assistance, job matching, and screening
Interview space for virtual or in-person interviews
Job fairs, career pathways/exploration, and job coaching
Interest and skill assessments
Workshops, resume writing, and interview training
Basic skills, soft skills, and professional skills training
Training referrals, counseling referrals, and incentives/grant referrals
Licensing/certification assistance or referrals
Transportation and financial literacy support
Health benefit support

Additional Services

Workforce Development Director: The club has a dedicated full-time Workforce Development Director who focuses on evolving life and workforce programs, career and leadership training, and developing community partnerships to create successful future pathways for youth.
Capital Campaign: The club is preparing to roll out a capital campaign to fund the construction of a new center designed to serve middle and high school students. The new facility will provide space for skill development, confidence-building, and career training for underrepresented youth, with an emphasis on leadership and self-sufficiency.