ABOUT US
HISTORY
THE BOYS AND GIRLS MOVEMENT
The first Boys Club was established in Hartford, Connecticut in 1860, by three women who realized there was a need for an organization providing after school and evening activities with leadership for less privileged boys. Currently, there are over 4,000 Clubs serving over 4 million youth. These Clubs employ full-time, professional workers who are assisted by part-time, activity specialists and volunteers.
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NATIONAL ORGANIZATION
Federated Boys’ Clubs of America was founded in 1906, in Boston, Massachusetts with 53 Clubs for their mutual benefit and the promotion of the movement. It was incorporated as a non-profit organization in Massachusetts in the same year. In 1930 the name was changed to Boys’ Clubs of America. It was chartered by the 84th Congress of the United States in 1956 under public Law 988. In 1972 the 1,000 Club opened in Indianapolis. In September 1990, Boys Clubs of America underwent a national name change to Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
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The policy-making body of Boys & Girls Clubs of America is the National Council, made up of a representative of each Boys & Girls Club. The National Council elects officers and members of the National Board of Directors who are responsible for the operation of the organization. The national organization serves existing Boys and Girls Clubs and helps communities start new clubs. It is divided into departments, usually called services, to assist Boys & Girls Clubs in their work. These services and the people who provide them are a valuable resource for assistance.
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The Boys & Girls Clubs of Alpena is a member of Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
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LOCAL ORGANIZATION
The Boys and Girls Club of Alpena has been serving the youth in Alpena since 1926. Currently, we serve over 1450 youth annually in the community through a diverse range of programming and outreach efforts designed to align and fulfill our mission. The Boys and Girls Club of Alpena is a year round non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization. We focus on the school year and summer programming for youth ages 5-18 years old. Youth that are 5 years old must be enrolled and attending a Kindergarten program. Our average daily attendance is 145 youth/day between our two sites. The two sites are our main site at 801 W Miller St. and the Alpena High School Wildcat Unit/VolunTeen Center located at the High School 3303 S. Third Street.
NEW LOCATION & FACILITY
We’ve moved locations! Beginning in the summer of 2023, we opened our new facility at 801 W Miller St. in Alpena MI. This facility offers more programming space, outdoor amenities and the ability to serve more youth. Our organization prides itself on providing a safe and fun environment for youth and with this new building we are able to provide a secure location to improve their safety while in our care.
We have a full size gym, teen center, multimedia center, cafeteria, and gamesroom to ensure that every youth is enjoying their time at The Boys and Girls Club of Alpena.
