Formation 1900 Headquarters Toronto, Ontario | Type Youth organization | |
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Motto “All children and youth discover and achieve their dreams and grow up to be healthy, successful, and active participants in society.” Legal status Non-profit organization Purpose “To provide a safe, supportive place where children and youth can experience new opportunities, overcome barriers, build positive relationships, and develop confidence and skills for life.” | ||
Headquartered in Toronto, Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada (BGCC) is a national, nonprofit organization that supports local Boys and Girls Clubs with programs for physical activity, healthy living, learning, job training, leadership, and creative expression. With locations in small and large cities, and rural and Indigenous communities, Boys and Girls Clubs provide services to young people during critical out-of-school hours.
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History
In 1900, a group of concerned local citizens in Saint John, New Brunswick set up a "public playground movement" to provide a safe place for children to play, in particular boys from disadvantaged circumstances who had no place to go after school. Originally established as the "Every Day Club," it was later named The East End Boys Club of Saint John, the first “Boys Club” in Canada.
In 1929, with more than 30 Clubs across the country, the “Boys’ Clubs of Canada” was officially established by Vernon McAdam, the first National Executive Director. By 1948, the organization was recognized by Parliament of Canada as a national, nonprofit organization and in 1974, to reflect the growing number of young girls participating in Club programs, the organization changed its name to "Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada."
Size and Reach
As of 2016, Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada has 96 Clubs that serve 200,000 children and youth at 625 service locations across the country. The Clubs employ 5,000 staff members and have over 15,000 volunteers. In 2015, BGCC offered 22 national programs, facilitated $220,000 in scholarships, and allocated $6.7 million in grants to Clubs. In its 116-year history, BGCC has helped over 3 million young Canadians.
Board of Directors
The voluntary Board of Directors provides national leadership, making policy directions and decisions and assigning responsibilities for implementation and management to the President & CEO.
2016 National Board
Officers
Directors
President & CEO
Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada's current President & CEO is Owen Charters.