A model for youth work.
St. John Bosco built his work around understanding, patience, care, and positive opportunities for young people.
About Salesian
North Beach roots. A place for young people to belong.
Since 1921, Salesian Boys’ & Girls’ Club has given San Francisco youth a safe, welcoming place to learn, play, grow, build friendships, and become part of a lasting Club community.
Founded
1921
Membership
Ages 8–18
Annual Membership
$10 / year
Home
North Beach
Our Story
More than a century in the neighborhood.
Salesian has grown with North Beach while holding onto the same basic idea: young people deserve a place where they are known, supported, challenged, and welcomed.
Founded in North Beach.
Fr. Oreste Trincheri founded the Salesian Boys’ Club as a positive outlet for neighborhood youth.
Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs unite.
The Salesian Boys’ Club and Salesian Girls’ Club merged, forming the Salesian Boys’ & Girls’ Club known today.
A community that keeps growing.
The Club continues to serve young people, families, alumni, and the broader San Francisco community.
Why We Are Called Salesian
Patience. Care. Opportunity.
The Salesian name comes from the tradition of St. John Bosco, or Don Bosco. As a young Italian priest, he saw how social and economic change affected youth and built an approach centered on understanding, patience, and care.
Don Bosco chose St. Francis de Sales as his patron. St. Francis de Sales was known for developing a gentle character from a fiery temperament. His family name, Sales, later gave the Salesians of St. John Bosco their name.
Fr. Oreste Trincheri brought that spirit to North Beach in 1921. It still shapes how the Club builds relationships with young people and families today.
Centennial Story
100 years. 10,000 kids. One mission.
Hear from the people, families, alumni, and supporters who have helped carry the Salesian mission forward through generations.
Official Recognition
Salesian Day honors a century of service.
The City’s proclamation recognizes generations of members, families, alumni, volunteers, supporters, board members, and staff who helped make Salesian a lasting part of the North Beach community.
Guiding Principles
The standards that shape daily Club life.
These principles guide how we work with members, families, staff, supporters, and one another.
Safe Environment
We strive to maintain a safe and secure environment for members and staff.
Integrity
We are honest and forthright in our dealings with Club members, staff, supporters, and the community.
Excellence
We strive to provide high-quality service and professionalism in our interactions.
Youth Centered
We focus on what is best for members and use Don Bosco’s preventive system and principle of loving kindness.
Respect
We treat members, families, staff, and supporters with respect.
Compassion
We respond to members and staff with care and compassion.
Consistency
We say what we will do, then we do what we say.
People & Leadership
The people behind the Club.
Meet the staff and board members who carry Salesian’s work forward, or get in touch with the right person for your question.
Get Involved
Be part of what comes next.
Explore membership, support the Club, or connect with our team.
