A Century of Caring

It’s not often that an organization has the opportunity to see its vision still going strong after 100 years. The history of Boys & Girls Clubs of America is a remarkable story of determined, compassionate and hopeful leaders – generation after generation – dedicated to helping young people grow into responsible, productive citizens. Over the course of a century, the national Boys & Girls Club movement has seen millions of Club members become successful, caring adults, with legions of dedicated staff and volunteers fulfilling the organization’s vision. Along the way, Clubs have had a profound impact on not just families and communities, but the nation as a whole. 

Our theme for the Centennial year, “100 Years of Hope and Opportunity,” celebrates the 53 local Clubs that united a century ago to form what is now Boys & Girls Clubs of America. In 1906, their goal was to provide unity and resources to Clubs that would offer the most effective programs and services to boys. The founders of the national Club organization held a simple premise: that all children, however difficult their circumstances, could become capable, contributing adults; and that young Americans, given the chance, could change the course of their lives, while also improving their families, communities and the nation as a whole.  

Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s commitment to providing a positive environment, supportive relationships, opportunities, recognition and fun for kids everywhere, enabled this cause to change many lives. To this day, that commitment continues as Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s primary focus.

We invite you to read about some of the national organization’s greatest accomplishments and best-known alumni in this issue of The Positive Place. But this special edition is about more than reminiscence, it’s about how, generation after generation, every child in every community across America needs a positive place to learn and grow. 

Thanks to you, Boys & Girls Clubs of America looks forward to a second century of providing hope and opportunity for millions of deserving kids. With your support, we’ll continue to be The Positive Place for the next 100 years – and beyond. 

Happy Birthday, Boys & Girls Clubs of America!

Changing Lives, Changing America

It all started with tea and a little bit of kindness. In 1860, three women in Hartford, Conn., decided to take in some “street urchins” – undernourished, dirty-faced young boys with little more than the ragged clothes on their back, the hard-luck, forgotten kids of the Industrial Revolution. They didn’t know it then, but these caring ladies planted the seeds of what would become a true American success story. Their idea took root as Boys’ Clubs, which soon began to sprout throughout New England and, eventually, across the nation.   

By 1906, 53 independent Clubs had formed, and their leaders sought ways to further the important mission of reaching children in need. They united in Boston to form the first American association of its kind – Federated Boys Clubs. They came together because they all believed in one cause: to provide boys with a safe, positive place where they could become caring and productive citizens. A national organization – known today as Boys & Girls Clubs of America – was born. 

Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Centennial is more than an anniversary – it tells of endurance. Despite wars, economic downturns and other challenges, Boys & Girls Clubs continued to grow at a steady pace. Clubs stayed relevant by adapting to changing times – as seen through their expansion into new venues such as suburbia and public housing – while also holding on to basics that made Clubs a uniquely effective institution. 

Over the course of the 20th century, Boys & Girls Clubs changed according to America’s needs. For example, as the First and Second World Wars raged on, the national organization urged Club members to be of service to their country. Club kids responded by forming a stateside army to collect metal, rubber and other materials deemed vital to the war effort. During the Great Depression, the organization not only managed to hold on to every single Club affiliation, but it also grew by 20 percent to serve children in communities struggling to get back on their feet.

During the turbulent 1960s, when civil rights marches, the Vietnam war and a new drug culture shaped the era, many urban Clubs were in the center of major turmoil. Amidst the unrest, Clubs played an important role as safe havens, clearinghouses for information and trusted avenues of community outreach. And in 1990, even though girls had been attending Clubs for decades, the national organization changed its name to include girls to emphasize the need for Clubs to make service to young women a priority.

Over time, Club programming evolved as well, giving boys and girls more opportunities for personal growth and achievement. Club offered kids a chance to participate in activities focusing on: character and leadership development; education and career development; health and life skills; the arts; and sports, fitness and recreation. Each of these areas were tailored to the basic physical, emotional, cultural and social needs of young people in specific communities.

Today, Boys & Girls Clubs serve more than 4.4 million youth in some 3,700 Clubs across the nation and on military bases around the world. The national organization celebrates the millions of caring, productive citizens who claim a Club as their alma mater – teachers, doctors, nurses, carpenters, firefighters and more – the people who live and strive to make America work.

Many famous and accomplished people, including actors, athletes, military, business and political leaders who have risen to prominence got their positive start in life at a Club. U.S. Presidents have served as honorary chairs of the national board of governors, while some of our nation’s foremost business and political leaders have generously dedicated their time and resources to reach underserved communities.

Throughout 2006, we will celebrate the continuity of our cause in good times and bad, and its collective impact over the course of a century – strengthening the nation as it continues to grow. Thank you for your compassion and support – and for being a part of this important legacy.