About

The Salesian Boys’ & Girls’ Club’s mission is to provide a safe place for members to have transformational experiences that help them Learn, Grow, and Thrive.

History

Why we are called Salesian?

The name Salesian comes from the story of St. John Bosco (Don Bosco) who, as a young Italian priest, observed the unsettling influence that the Industrial Revolution was having on youth. Don Bosco advocated understanding and patience when with working with young people. He chose as his patron, St. Francis de Sales, who was noted for having conquered a fiery temper to achieve a gentle character. The family name Sales gave title to the Salesians of St. John Bosco.

In 1921, Fr. Oreste Trincheri came to the North Beach area and found that the Barbary Coast atmosphere created 60% of the city’s delinquency, most notably in the neighborhood boys. Realizing the volatile, creative Italian character needed a positive outlet, Fr. Trinchieri founded the Salesian Boys’ Club in the spirit of St. John Bosco. In 1994, the Salesian Boys’ Club merged with its sister organization, the Salesian Girls’ Club, and thus, the Club came to be as it is now known: the Salesian Boys’ and Girls’ Club, a cornerstone of the North Beach community. The Club now serves youth from all over the city of San Francisco and the greater Bay Area.

Watch our Centennial Celebration video and learn more about the history of The Club.

Salesian Boys’ & Girls’ Club Annual Report

Take a deeper look inside The Club by reading our 2023-2024 Annual Report. Click to Read!

Guiding Principles

Safety

We strive to maintain a safe and secure environment for our Members and Staff.
Integrity and Accountability. We are honest and forthright in all of our dealings, including those with Club Members, Staff, supporters, and the community.

Commitment to Excellence

We strive to provide the highest quality of service possible as we demonstrate the highest level of professionalism in all our interactions with our Members and the community.

Youth Centric Approach

We focus on what is best for our Members and use St. John Bosco’s preventive system and principle of loving kindness.

Respect

We treat everyone with respect, including our Members, their families, our Staff, and our supporters.

Compassion

We respond to our Members and Staff with care and compassion.

Reliability and Consistency

We say what we will do and then we do what we say.