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The Boys & Girls Club of America was founded in the 19th century to provide a safe and supervised environment for at-risk youth. It has grown to over 19 locations worldwide and offers a variety of activities for members aged 7 to over 18. The organization encourages children to get involved in activities, learn team skills, and associate with people they may not meet in school or in their neighborhood. Membership is approximately 55% men and 45% women, and the club offers after-school and summer programs. Many credit the Boys & Girls Club with changing direction in life or teaching them vital skills.
The Boys & Girls Club of America is one of the most revered institutions for youth in the country, dating back to the 19th century. As a modern organisation, the group seeks to provide entertainment, assistance and guidance to young people in a variety of fields. Originally started to help keep at-risk youth off the streets of Hartford, Connecticut, the program has grown to more than 19 locations across the United States, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands and US military bases around the world. world.
In the 1860s, a group of concerned Hartford women formed the club to provide a healthy, controlled alternative to the young boys who often roamed the city streets, causing trouble. Over the next 50 years, the idea spread throughout the East Coast, including the first club officially titled “The Boy’s Club” in New York City. In 1906, the success of the various branches prompted them to create a single organization, known as the Boys Club of America.
Over the course of the 20th century, the Boys Club became somewhat controversial for its exclusion of girls. Although some clubs allowed girls as members, the name was not officially changed to the Boys & Girls Club of America until 1990. Currently, membership in the club is approximately 55% men and 45% women.
The Boys & Girls Club of America supports young people with a variety of activities, groups and opportunities. Most clubs have a gymnasium for games like basketball, indoor soccer, and the ever-popular indoor wiffle ball, as well as a game room with various equipment like pool tables and air hockey sets. Some may have a special room for older teenagers, as the Boys and Girls Club welcomes members aged seven to over 18. Many offer gaming and sports tournaments, as well as competitions or exhibitions for those skilled in crafts or the creative arts.
The organization’s goals still include giving young people a safe and supervised environment, an especially important task as more and more families need to do multiple jobs and can’t be home for the children. Additionally, The Boys & Girls Club encourages children to get involved in activities, learn team skills, and associate with people they may not meet in school or in their neighborhood. Many clubs offer an after-school program and an extended summer program, giving kids a real opportunity to make friends and get involved in the programs and services offered in the clubs.
Many credit the Boys & Girls Club with changing direction in life or teaching them vital skills. Since 1993, Academy Award-winning actor Denzel Washington has served as a spokesperson for the organization, crediting The Boys & Girls Club with positively influencing his youth. According to a survey of Boys & Girls Club alumni, 95% believed the club was the best resource for young people in their community.
To find a Boys & Girls Club in your area, check your local telephone directory or visit the national website, www.bgca.org. Although clubs charge a monthly or seasonal fee, some assistance may be available to families in need. Your child or young friend’s membership in the club can have a positive impact on every aspect of their life. If you want to support your local branch, many clubs need volunteers on a daily or weekly basis.
