Creating Safe Spaces for Brighter Futures

Annual memberships to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego provided at no-cost to Blue Shield Promise youth members between the ages of 5 and 14

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Miguel used to struggle to make friends at school and often felt left out during group activities. That changed when he joined the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego. There, he connected with a group of kids building robots, found his voice, and formed close friendships he now looks forward to daily. His grades have improved, and he's become an active, engaged member of the Club community.

Miguel's story is just one example of how a supportive environment, encouragement, and positive peer connections can change a child's life. That's why Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan is providing memberships to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego at no cost to Blue Shield Promise youth members ages 5 to 14. This benefit is available now and expires June 30, 2027.

This unique offering was inspired by feedback from a member of Blue Shield Promise's San Diego Community Advisory Committee in fall 2024, who suggested that adding this benefit would support local youth and help strengthen communities.

The annual membership is valid at the organization's more than 20 sites throughout San Diego County. The Clubs provide a safe, fun, and supportive environment for San Diego's youth, including:

• Programs and activities to improve life skills, fitness, and academic performance
• After-school access almost every weekday
• Mentorship by trained youth-development professionals
• Character building, creativity, and teamwork

"We believe in the critical services and programs Boys & Girls Clubs provide for youth in San Diego County as it provides safe and nurturing spaces in those after-school hours that are so crucial for youth development," said Jennifer Schirmer, vice president of Medi-Cal Growth and Community Engagement for Blue Shield Promise. "By offering these memberships at no cost to eligible members, we're making an investment in support programs that can lead to a positive impact on our members' lives."

"Every school day, tens of thousands of kids in San Diego go home to an empty house," said Michelle Malin, president and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego. "There's no one to make them a snack or help them with homework. Every child deserves a safe place to go after school."

According to the organization, Club memberships provide not only academic support but safe environments where youth can develop social skills and emotional resilience.

"When they walk through our doors, they have opportunities to develop skills, find their passions, build friendships, and so much more, all under the supervision of caring adult mentors," added Malin. "We are extremely grateful to Blue Shield Promise for helping more young people walk through our doors. Together, we are changing lives and building brighter futures."

Blue Shield Promise has had a long-standing relationship with the organization. The San Diego chapter helped support the launch of Blue Shield Promise's well-child visits pilot program in San Diego County in 2023, and was the recipient of a Blue Shield Promise "Leading the Way" Community Organization Award in 2023. 

To qualify for a no-cost Boys & Girls Clubs membership your child must:

• Be a Blue Shield Promise Medi-Cal member
• Be 5 to 14 years old
• Live in San Diego County

To receive a Club membership:

• Find and visit your nearest Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego location. A list of Clubs is available at sdyouth.org.
• Fill out a Boys & Girls Clubs enrollment form and let the Club know that you are a Blue Shield Promise member.
• Once approved, the Boys & Girls Clubs will reach out by phone.

In 2023, Blue Shield of California joined the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association in supporting the Boys & Girls Clubs of America organization to address the youth mental health crisis. To read more about that work, visit "Blue Shield of California Joins Blue Cross Blue Shield Association in Supporting Boys & Girls Clubs of America to Address Youth Mental Health Crisis."

Learn more about Blue Shield Promise here. Learn about the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego's after-school program here.

About Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan
Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan is a managed care organization, wholly owned by Blue Shield of California, offering Medi-Cal. It is led by healthcare professionals with a "members-first" philosophy and committed to building a quality network of providers and partnering with community organizations for more than 500,000 Medi-Cal members across Los Angeles and San Diego counties. It was rated 4 out of 5 in NCQA's Medicaid Health Plan Ratings for 2025. For more information about Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan, please visit www.blueshieldca.com/promise. For more news about Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan, please visit promisenews.blueshieldca.com. Or follow us on LinkedIn.

About the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego operates 23 community-based sites across San Diego County, serving a region that spans more than 2,000 square miles, from National City to Borrego Springs. The organization's mission is to inspire and enable youth to achieve academic success, build good character and responsible citizenship, and make healthy lifestyle choices. Through a wide range of programs and services, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego provides young people with safe, supportive spaces to learn, grow, and thrive.

Media contacts:

Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan
Juliane Matignas
(510) 607-2359
[email protected]

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego
Estefania Contreras
(760) 485-4058
[email protected] 

SOURCE Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan