As summer winds down and students get ready to head back to class, many families face the yearly challenge of finding a safe, reliable place for kids to spend time once the school day ends.
For thousands of children across Oklahoma and Texas, that place is the Boys & Girls Clubs. The organization continues to provide welcoming spaces where young people can learn, grow and feel encouraged beyond classroom hours.
This back-to-school season, Paycom, a leading provider of comprehensive, cloud-based human capital management software, contributed $41,000 through its employee giving program and company match to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Oklahoma County and Collin County. The gift helps fund enrichment opportunities that bridge the gap between the final bell and the time parents arrive home from work.
Paycom also gave 1,300 backpacks filled with supplies to help kids start the school year strong and sponsored a community movie night at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark in July.
Tara Steffens, team leader of corporate philanthropy programs at Paycom, said, “By partnering with these nonprofits, we’re not only supporting a great cause, but also ensuring that youth have a safe and enriching environment to thrive in after school and during school breaks.”
Oklahoma County: 30 Years of Impact
In Oklahoma County, the Boys & Girls Clubs are celebrating their 30th anniversary, and the benefits of these programs extend far beyond simple childcare. The donation supports 16 club locations and two mobile clubhouse units that reach more than 17,000 children and teens across the metro area.
According to the club’s 2024 Impact Report, the organization provides 146,896 meals and snacks annually to youth who might otherwise go hungry after they leave school.
The organization serves communities where support is needed most:
- 48% of members identify as African American and 19% as Hispanic
- Nearly half qualify for free or reduced lunches
- 40% live in non-traditional households where after-school care can be especially challenging
The outcomes show real progress:
- 100% of club members graduate from high school
- 54% of alumni credit the Club with saving their lives
- 76% of current members avoid risky behaviors, including drugs, alcohol, smoking and fighting
- Members completed 69,188 homework hours in 2024
- 100% of actively engaged seniors graduate with college, trade school, or military acceptance
Collin County: Meeting Diverse Community Needs
In Collin County, Texas, Paycom’s $10,000 contribution will further the club’s mission to serve local kids and teens across Frisco, McKinney, Plano and Princeton with programs designed to promote academic success, healthy lifestyles and strong character.
According to its 2024 data, community demographics show the need:
- 36% of members are Hispanic and 31% are African American
- 41% of youth qualify for free or reduced lunches
The investment shows clear returns:
- 89% of club members are on track to graduate on time
- 89% of members avoid risky behaviors
- 84% demonstrate leadership skills that carry into their schools and neighborhoods
“Boys & Girls Clubs of Oklahoma County is proud to work with organizations like Paycom that help us provide critical after-school and summer programming to youth in our community,” said Teena Belcik, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Oklahoma County. “Because of their support, our kids are able to go back to school equipped with the skills they need to be successful this year and beyond. We are so thankful for their partnership!”
Broader Community Investment
Beyond this initiative, Paycom’s employee giving program channels resources to a variety of causes each year, from youth and education to mental health and services for individuals with disabilities. Employees are encouraged to give to organizations that reflect their values, with the company matching every donation to expand the reach of their generosity.
To learn more about the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, visit https://www.bgca.org/.