The Boys and Girls Club is a nationally recognized organization with local chapters in all 50 states, as well as Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and US International Military Bases in the form of after-school programs. As of 2010, there are over four thousand autonomous local clubs and in total they serve more than four million children. The purpose of the club is to promote and enhance the development of boys and girls by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging and influence, operating under their motto: "To enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens."