Stream Case Studies Enhancing Online Engagement for Boys & Girls Clubs of America with In-App Chat

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	Enhancing Online Engagement for Boys & Girls Clubs of America with In-App Chat Stream

Enhancing Online Engagement for Boys & Girls Clubs of America with In-App Chat

Stream

Technology Category	Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Event-Driven Application Platform as a Service (PaaS) - Application Development Platforms
Applicable Industries	Education
Applicable Functions	Procurement Product Research & Development
Use Cases	Leasing Finance Automation Smart Contracts
Services	System Integration
Challenge	The Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) faced a significant challenge when the pandemic forced the temporary suspension of in-person programs and activities. To continue supporting the 4 million children and teens participating in their programs, BGCA launched a digital platform called MyFuture. However, the platform lacked a messaging functionality that could drive engagement and participation. The organization needed a chat solution that was safe, inclusive, and kid-friendly, with easy-to-use moderation features and block lists. The solution also needed to be flexible and easy to integrate, as BGCA had minimal in-house engineering resources and relied on an external contract developer. Read More
About Customer	The Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) is a non-profit organization founded in 1906. It provides after-school activities for over 4 million children and teens across the United States. The organization supports youths aged 6-18 from all walks of life, aiming to help them prepare for the future through academic improvement, team sports, creative endeavors, avoiding risky behaviors, and engaging in their communities through mentorship and volunteering. Each of BGCA’s 4,300 chapter Clubs serves as a hub for the community youths it serves. When the pandemic forced Clubs in North America to temporarily suspend in-person programs and activities, BGCA developed the MyFuture platform to continue supporting their members. Read More
Solution	BGCA chose to integrate Stream's Angular SDK to build custom UI components and provide the needed chat functionality. Stream Chat API was selected primarily for its AI moderation features and flexibility. The API allowed BGCA to maintain a safe online space by leveraging pre-defined block lists that prevented offensive, toxic, vulgar, and spammy language from entering the public chat. BGCA also customized their block list to prevent kids from including their Instagram handles in a chat by prohibiting the '@' symbol. The integration of Stream's Angular SDK and a customized UI enabled BGCA to launch a high-performing in-app chat functionality that allowed audience participation and dynamism during live events on the MyFuture platform. Read More Log in to view content
Contents

Technology Category

Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Event-Driven Application

Platform as a Service (PaaS) - Application Development Platforms

Applicable Industries

Education

Applicable Functions

Procurement

Product Research & Development

Use Cases

Leasing Finance Automation

Smart Contracts

Services

System Integration

Challenge

The Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) faced a significant challenge when the pandemic forced the temporary suspension of in-person programs and activities. To continue supporting the 4 million children and teens participating in their programs, BGCA launched a digital platform called MyFuture. However, the platform lacked a messaging functionality that could drive engagement and participation. The organization needed a chat solution that was safe, inclusive, and kid-friendly, with easy-to-use moderation features and block lists. The solution also needed to be flexible and easy to integrate, as BGCA had minimal in-house engineering resources and relied on an external contract developer.

About Customer

The Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) is a non-profit organization founded in 1906. It provides after-school activities for over 4 million children and teens across the United States. The organization supports youths aged 6-18 from all walks of life, aiming to help them prepare for the future through academic improvement, team sports, creative endeavors, avoiding risky behaviors, and engaging in their communities through mentorship and volunteering. Each of BGCA’s 4,300 chapter Clubs serves as a hub for the community youths it serves. When the pandemic forced Clubs in North America to temporarily suspend in-person programs and activities, BGCA developed the MyFuture platform to continue supporting their members.

Solution

BGCA chose to integrate Stream's Angular SDK to build custom UI components and provide the needed chat functionality. Stream Chat API was selected primarily for its AI moderation features and flexibility. The API allowed BGCA to maintain a safe online space by leveraging pre-defined block lists that prevented offensive, toxic, vulgar, and spammy language from entering the public chat. BGCA also customized their block list to prevent kids from including their Instagram handles in a chat by prohibiting the '@' symbol. The integration of Stream's Angular SDK and a customized UI enabled BGCA to launch a high-performing in-app chat functionality that allowed audience participation and dynamism during live events on the MyFuture platform.

Impact #1	The integration of Stream's Angular SDK and a customized UI into the MyFuture platform has resulted in a high-performing in-app chat functionality that has significantly enhanced audience participation and dynamism during live events. The chat functionality has been used in various events, including a Virtual HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) Battle of the Bands, a multi-series poetry course, a guided creative program, and STEM-focused learning courses. The chat functionality has also been instrumental in maintaining a safe online space for the members, thanks to Stream’s robust chat moderation features. Looking ahead, BGCA plans to leverage the chat functionality to drive engagement in future events featuring high-profile celebrities, athletes, and artists.

Impact #1

The integration of Stream's Angular SDK and a customized UI into the MyFuture platform has resulted in a high-performing in-app chat functionality that has significantly enhanced audience participation and dynamism during live events. The chat functionality has been used in various events, including a Virtual HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) Battle of the Bands, a multi-series poetry course, a guided creative program, and STEM-focused learning courses. The chat functionality has also been instrumental in maintaining a safe online space for the members, thanks to Stream’s robust chat moderation features. Looking ahead, BGCA plans to leverage the chat functionality to drive engagement in future events featuring high-profile celebrities, athletes, and artists.

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Overview

Enhancing Online Engagement for Boys & Girls Clubs of America with In-App Chat

Operational Impact