At Old Navy, supporting the next generation isn’t just part of our business – it’s part of our legacy. For 30 years, our partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) has helped open doors for youth across the country, providing access to job opportunities, mentorship, and career-building experiences.
This legacy runs deep. Our founders, Doris and Don Fisher, were passionate advocates for BGCA and America’s youth. Doris dedicated decades to shaping local and national programs, while Don served on the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco Board of Governors for over 40 years. Their commitment set the tone for a partnership that continues to grow and evolve.
This year, we were honored to receive the President’s Award from BGCA at their 119th Annual National Conference. Accepted by Old Navy President & CEO Haio Barbeito, the award recognized our three-decade partnership and our ongoing leadership in support of America’s youth. It’s a powerful reflection of our shared history and our continued dedication to creating opportunity.
Together, we’re advancing a shared vision: helping youth reach their full potential. BGCA leverages Old Navy’s signature opportunity program, This Way ONward, which opens doors to economic opportunity by partnering with community-based organizations to provide skills training, and providing supportive services like career coaching, clothing and transportation that are barriers to employment.
Just ask Yumina, a former member of the Boys & Girls Club of San Francisco (BGCSF) who discovered This Way ONward through her Club. After participating in a job shadow with Old Navy, she joined Old Navy as a brand associate in one of our San Francisco storefronts. Now, she’s preparing for her next big step: college.
We also introduced a new way to engage club teens this year: a pitch contest that brought big ideas and even bigger ambition to the table. The winning team recently traveled to Gap Inc.’s San Francisco headquarters to present their concept, explore careers, and experience corporate culture firsthand. It’s one more way we’re showing youth they belong here – and that their voices matter.
Through opportunities like these, and with the continued support of BGCA, we’re helping thousands of young people build confidence, gain real-world experience, and take that critical first step toward a brighter future. In 2024 alone, our work with BGCA reached more than 19,000 young people through local Clubs, and we’re more committed than ever to investing in the next generation.
This is what partnership looks like. This is how we bridge gaps – one future at a time.
