Basic Needs

Basic Needs Programs

At the Boys & Girls Club of Oshkosh, we provide a variety of services to assist children and families who need a little extra help. By providing these services, we hope to ease some of the burden on families and make it easier for kids to focus on participating in our programs and having fun when they attend the Club.

Hyde Family Community Center

The addition of the Hyde Family Community Center provides a collaborative space for community agencies to meet the needs of children and families. Since opening its doors in March 2024, the Hyde Family Community Center has become a vital resource for over 3,000 individuals, offering family classes, partner programs, and community rentals.

If you would like to get connected to one or our partner agencies, contact our Director of Hyde Family Community Center, Michelle Rector, at (920) 233-1414, ext. 135, or micheller@bgcosh.org.

Basic Needs Support

Back to School Supplies – backpack, school supplies, a new outfit, shoes and a haircut

Care Giver Education and Family Classes – classes/workshops cover helpful topics for parents/guardians, cooking classes, martial arts and more. See our calendar and Facebook page for upcoming events.

Dental & Vision Care – basic exams, eyewear, teeth cleaning, additional assistance

Youth & Family Grief Support Group – provides compassionate care to youth and families who have experienced a loss through education and peer group support session

Holiday Help/Adopt a Family – donor supported program providing help with Christmas gifts for families, including basic needs items (ex. clothing, household supplies, a meal) and toys

Household Assistance – household and hygiene supplies and resources for utilities and housing

Wet Hair Club – hygiene support and supplies, clean clothes, haircuts, and use of showers and clothes
washer/dryer

Adopt a Family

The Club, along with our many generous donors, work to make the holidays a little bit brighter for Club families. Each year, we have a limited number of families who are able to participate in our Adopt-a-Family program and receive extra holiday season assistance. Families participating must have current memberships for all youth in the family, ages 5-18, and must have been actively participating in programs throughout the year.

If you are interested in adopting a family for the holidays, please contact Development and Grants Coordinator, Bethany Ferguson, at bethanyf@bgcosh.org or (920) 233-1414, ext. 122.

If you are a Club family who is interested in being adopted out for the holidays, please contact the Director of Youth & Family Engagement, Danielle Bittelman, at danielleb@bgcosh.org or (920) 233-1414, ext. 124.

Back to School Fair

The Oshkosh Community Back to School Fair, held yearly in August, provides 1,000 low-income Oshkosh students an equal opportunity to be better equipped with the necessary supplies to be successful in school. Each student receives a backpack with school supplies, a new outfit of school-appropriate clothing and hygiene items. Local hairstylists are on-site at the Fair to provide haircuts at no cost to students in attendance. A voucher is provided for shoes at Rogan’s in Oshkosh.

Learn more about how to sign up to attend the fair or volunteer here.

Youth & Family Grief Support Group

The Youth & Family Grief Support Group is a program at the Club that provides compassionate care to kids, teens and families who have experienced a loss. Meetings are facilitated by trained, compassionate volunteers and Club staff. Before beginning each group meeting, a family-style meal is served. Attendees will get to spend time with therapy dogs and can participate in a variety of age-appropriate activities. Free, onsite child care for families with children under 5 years of age is provided during meetings. You do not need to be a Club member to participate. Group sessions are every second Thursday of the month at the Club from 6-8 p.m. Before attending your first session, please contact our Grief Support Coordinators at griefsupport@bgcosh.org to schedule a one-time orientation. Learn more about the Youth & Family Grief Support Group here.

Dental and Vision Care

These programs are for Club members who do not have any form of insurance or medical assistance. The Club partners with Building Brighter Smiles and the Tri-County Community Dental Clinic to provide dental care to qualifying Club members, including basic cleanings, x-rays, sealants, and other more comprehensive dental services. The Club provides vision gift cards to Shopko Optical for basic eye exams and eyewear for Club members in need.

Your child they can receive free dental care at our Club site if:
– Is eligible for free or reduced cost lunch
– Or has a Forward Health card from Medicaid (Badger Care)
– And DOES NOT have private dental insurance or receive care at another dental clinic

Sign up for the Summer 2025 dental bus is open. Register here. Learn more about the dental services provided here.

If you have questions about these programs, please contact the Director of Youth & Family Engagement, Danielle Bittelman, at danielleb@bgcosh.org or (920) 233-1414, ext. 124.

Meal Program

The Club understands and appreciates the need for a healthy diet among all of our Club members. It is our goal to encourage healthy eating habits that promote the well-being of our youth. The Club provides a healthy snack to all members throughout the week. Soda, energy drinks, fast food and unhealthy snacks are strongly discouraged.

Through funding from the USDA and the CACFP program, during the school year, the Club provides a snack after school at 3:45 p.m. and dinner at 5:30 p.m. (Dinner is served at 3:45 p.m. on early release days.) Through funding from the USDA and the SFSP program, in the summertime and on non-school days, the Club provides breakfast at 8:30 a.m., lunch at 12:00 p.m., and snack at 2:30 p.m. In accordance with Federal Law and USDA policy, our institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.

Please notify the Club if your child has any food allergies or dietary concerns. Menus are posted outside of the kitchen one week in advance. A weekly menu can be requested. Members may bring their own meals and snacks if they choose.

If you have any questions about our food program, please contact COO, Lindsay Clark, at lindsayc@bgcosh.org or (920) 233-1414, ext. 114.

Tutoring

During the school year, all Club members have access to our Academic Success staff, who are available to help with homework across all subjects, including a dedicated math tutor. If a child or teen needs support outside of regular homework help times, families can coordinate an alternate schedule by contacting the Susan Tesch, Director of Academics, at (920) 233-1414, ext. 120.

Wet Hair Club

The Club’s Wet Hair program helps members meet their personal hygiene needs and learn skills to become more independent. Youth who are in the program can shower and wash their clothing at the Club, receive haircuts, and work one-on-one with our staff to learn about healthy hygiene habits. Club members in this program will receive clean clothing and hygiene products based on their needs.

If you would like more information about this program, please contact the Director of Youth & Family Engagement, Danielle Bittelman, at danielleb@bgcosh.org or (920) 233-1414, ext. 124.

Social & Emotional Learning (SEL)

The Club is dedicated to promoting positive mental health for all Club members. Social & Emotional Learning (SEL) is incorporated into weekly classroom lessons. These programs help kids develop essential social skills for navigating everyday life and build emotional intelligence when facing challenges like relationships, friendships, work, school, and more. SEL programming covers topics such as self-awareness, relationship skills, self-management, responsible decision-making, and social awareness, and healthy expression of emotions. Additionally, we provide individual skill development to members and are available on a drop-in basis for members who need a safe space to talk.

Each afternoon, the Zen Den becomes a safe space for kids, offering them a calming room to unwind. The Zen Den program is thoughtfully designed to provide a calming, stress-free environment where kids can relax, recharge, and focus on their well-being. Inside the Zen Den, there are many options for de-stressing. From fidget toys and coloring books to other sensory activities, the kids are able to take their minds off current challenges and engage in activities that promote a stress-free mind.

Our Club also has a Referral Program for our members which is dedicated to breaking down external barriers and ensuring kids have seamless access to counseling services. Families can fill out a referral to get the Club member connected with the support they need. Referrals and meetings happen right at the club, making it convenient for members and families.

For additional questions or a referral, please contact Megan Perri, Director of Character Development, at meganp@bgcosh.org.