Editor’s Note: Robert Santana is the CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast (BGC of Central OC). The Santa Ana native recently oversaw the merger of the BGC of Central OC and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Anaheim-Cypress, expanding services for more than 12,000 children and teens in seven cities. The consolidation is expected to save the combined organization $750,000 annually.
How do we ensure Orange County youth are prepared for the ever-changing world, and what does it mean to be future-ready?
We stand on the cusp of an extraordinary era of innovation and opportunity, which demands that we reimagine how we prepare young people for success. As a futurist, not someone with a crystal ball, I am committed to understanding where we are, anticipating where we’re going and developing plans to prepare for the opportunities ahead. I’ve witnessed how dramatically the world has transformed and how rapidly it continues to evolve.
Until the 1900s, human knowledge doubled approximately every 100 years. By the mid-1940s, that pace accelerated to every 25 years. Today, according to IBM research, knowledge doubles every 12 hours. The velocity of change, both in speed and direction, is remarkable in human history and presents challenges and opportunities, particularly for our youth.
With this knowledge, how do we prepare young people for jobs that don’t exist yet? Futurists project that 65% of today’s K-12 students will work in jobs that have yet to be created.
Traditional education alone cannot keep pace.
The Transformation of Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast
I’ve been honored to lead this organization for 20 years, and I am reminded of a pivotal moment that helped changed the trajectory of our organization. I read an article about a NASA astronaut on the International Space Station who needed a specialized wrench. An engineer in Houston designed it, emailed the specifications and the astronaut printed it using a 3D printer in space. This “wrench story” sparked two powerful reactions: excitement about human innovation and concern about the widening opportunity gap for young people without access to mentors, technology and resources.
That moment catalyzed a transformation within the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast. From serving 200 youth at our Santa Ana Club to now reaching over 12,000 children across seven cities, including our recent merger with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater-Anaheim and Cypress, we’ve reimagined our approach to youth development. Our Clubs are equipped with technology, including 3D printers, coding labs, robotics and drone piloting programs. We’re not just keeping up with technology but ensuring our young people experience it first-hand.
Developing Future-Ready Skills through Partnerships
The skills gap in today’s workforce is not theoretical, it’s a reality employers face daily. Critical skills like communication, emotional intelligence and problem-solving are consistently identified as lacking in job candidates. Even universities report that incoming students require remedial courses before they’re ready for college-level work.
At our Boys & Girls Clubs, we’ve developed comprehensive programs centered on essential skills that surpass specific job descriptions:
• Critical Thinking: In a world of constant change, the ability to analyze information, identify patterns and make sound decisions is invaluable. Our robotics and STEAM programs challenge youth to solve problems creatively. Thanks to partners like Marcelo Brutti, EVP, Global Business Division and Americas Regional HQ, Hyundai Capital Services, and president of our Board of Governors, we have championed innovation within our Clubs through the Hyundai Hydrogen STEM program, ensuring young people have access to engineers, and technology centers remain updated and accessible to all youth, regardless of socioeconomic background.
• Adaptability: Today’s professionals must be adaptive, flexible and capable of pivoting as situations evolve. Through project-based learning, we create environments where young people learn to embrace change rather than fear it. Veronica Coffie, principal at KPMG LLP and Board of Governors member, has been instrumental in developing financial literacy programs that empower youth to navigate a complex economic landscape as they transition through high school and beyond.
• Resilience: Success in the future economy requires determination through challenges. Through mentorship programs and our College Bound program, we help guide young people towards promising futures. Tennyson Oyler, SVP of Brand Management & Corporate Affairs at Pacific Life and president of the Pacific Life Foundation, understands our mission from a unique perspective—he’s one of our Boys & Girls Club alumnus. His leadership has helped forge a pathway for our College Bound program, which has distributed over $1 million in college scholarships and secured over $17 million in financial aid packages over the past decade, primarily to first-generation college students.
• Curiosity: Perhaps most crucial is fostering a lifelong learning mindset. We’ve shifted from asking children, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”—a question rendered obsolete when future jobs don’t exist—to encouraging curiosity, exploration and continuous growth.
These services and programs wouldn’t be possible without strategic partnerships with Orange County’s business leaders and organizations, which go beyond financial support. Collaborations have been instrumental in bridging the gap between education and workforce readiness, creating opportunities for real-world learning experiences connecting youth to OC’s thriving business community.
For the Good of Our Community
As the speed of change continues to accelerate, especially with advancements in artificial intelligence, the stakes have never been higher. Preparing young people for the future isn’t just a noble goal. It should be an obligation.
We can be the architects of this future, but our youth will build it. If we fail to equip them with the necessary tools and skills, we compromise not only their individual potential but also our collective social and economic success as a community.
The question is no longer whether we should invest in making our youth future-ready but how quickly and effectively we can do so. At the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, we’re committed to ensuring that every child, regardless of background or circumstance, can thrive in a rapidly changing world.
I invite Orange County’s business leaders to support this mission and participate actively in shaping a future-ready workforce. Together, we can build an Orange County where innovation and opportunity are accessible to all, ensuring our community remains at the forefront of economic and social advancement for future generations.
After all, being a futurist isn’t about predicting the future. It’s about being prepared for all the opportunities that lie ahead. And there’s no more important preparation than investing in our youth. To learn more about our impact in Orange County and how to support, visit boysandgirlsclub.com.