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Happy National Boys & Girls Club Week
March 7, 2016
Happy National Boys & Girls Club Week! This week (March 7th-12th) clubs all across America are celebrating all the ways that #GreatFutures start in their local Clubs. The Boys & Girls Club of Bristol Family Center truly goes above and beyond what it means to be All Heart by continuing to work with our city’s youth since 1907. With a motto, “Great Futures Start Here,” the BBGC has shown their commitment to Bristol’s children by fostering growth and development, as well as, giving them opportunities to follow their dreams. The mission of the Boys and Girls Club is to “inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need them the most, to realize their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens,” and that is exactly what this influential organization has been doing! Bristol not only is extremely supportive of the Bristol Boys and Girls efforts over the years but also, proud of all of the life changing opportunities and work that this All Heart club does for our community’s youth.
The Bristol Boys Club was actually founded in 1860 in Hartford, Connecticut. One of Bristol’s community leaders in the early 1900’s, Jennie Peck, pushed for the establishment of the Boys Club in Bristol back in 1907. With a strong belief, the club would help teach children responsibilities, friendship, and leadership, as well as, give the children of the future, a place to engage in opportunities and activities that wouldn’t be possible otherwise, The Bristol Boys Club was born. In 1929, the very first Girls Club was built here in Bristol. How awesome is that to know that Bristol played a pivotal role in the history of The Boys and Girls Club nationally?! Years later, in 1990 Boys Club and the Girls Club officially joined forces. Today, there are over 4,000 local Boys and Girls Clubs serving over four million boys and girls! The Bristol Boys and Girls Club alone has an impact on 600-1,000 kids and teens each and every day!
When you think about an organization that really has gone above and beyond what it means to improve the community, and make Bristol a safe place filled with resources for opportunities and personal growth, without a doubt, you think of The Bristol Boys and Girls Club! The Bristol’s Boys and Girls Club has truly made a difference in Bristol’s community and many children’s lives. They offer many positive opportunities for Bristol’s youth to get involved such as school-based programs, winter programs, teen center, summer camp, gladiator wrestling, family center gymnastics, and Imagine Nation, A Museum Early Learning Center, the first museum early learning center to be operated by the Boys & Girls Club in the country! They also host fun and engaging events constantly including dances, fun nights, parent bonding nights, the OM Show, and more. The Club provides a “safe place for the future of Bristol to learn and grow, develop ongoing relationships with caring adult professionals, life-enhancing programs and character development experiences, hope and most importantly, opportunity.”
Not under 17 but want to get involved? You don’t have to be a kid to get involved! Sponsor, or donate, become an intern, employee, or volunteer, or join the women’s keystone auxiliary or older members alumni group, to get involved with this influential organization. The Boys and Girls Club would not be where it is today without the incredible and dedicated senior management team, dedicated staff, a committed Board of Directors and Development Committee, exceptional volunteers, and extensive community collaborations and support they have received throughout the years.
Bristol wishes the Bristol Boys and Girls Club a Happy National Boys & Girls Club Week. Whether you are a current member, a BBGC alumnus/alumnae, a dedicated volunteer, exceptional staff member or another role, your work and dedication to making Bristol a safe place filled with opportunity does not go unnoticed. Bristol thanks you for everything you do, and loves seeing it’s youth grown into intelligent, successful, leaders. Bristol looks forward to another outstanding year of events at the Bristol Boys and Girls Club!
For More Information about the Bristol Boys and Girls Club:
