Boys & Girls Clubs of Spokane County NORTHTOWN

Boys & Girls Clubs programs have taken members from the Clubhouse to the White House; from the games room to the corporate boardroom; from the high school orchestra to Carnegie Hall. We offer more than 25 nationally developed programs in the areas of education, the environment, health, the arts, careers, alcohol/drug and pregnancy prevention, gang prevention, leadership development and athletics. Kids may walk through our doors for the fun we offer, but we do far more than entertain these youngsters.

Locally we offer daily access to a broad range of programs in five Core Program Areas:

•    Education and Career Development
•    Character and Leadership Development
•    Health and Life Skills
•    The Arts
•    Sports, Fitness and Recreation

Our nationally recognized programs and activities impact children in three essential ways:

• Academic Success — Improving grades, reducing high school drop-out rates, and teaching kids to see themselves as learners.
• Good Character and Citizenship — Encouraging community service, reducing juvenile crime rates, and instilling an attitude of engagement.
• Healthy Lifestyles — Teaching healthy behaviors, reducing drug use and childhood obesity, and fostering a positive self-image.

About Us

In a world that seems threatening and lacking promise for many of today’s children, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Spokane County provide a tangible measure of hope. The Club offers young people what they need and want most: adults who respect and listen to them; a safe environment where they can have fun and be themselves; and interesting, constructive activities that channel their energy into challenging pursuits. All Boys & Girls Club programs are designed to build youth’s self-confidence and self-esteem.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Spokane County is part of a nationwide affiliation of local, autonomous organizations that work to help young people of all backgrounds develop the qualities they need to become responsible citizens and leaders. The Clubs are facility-based, employ over twenty paid professional staff members and are supplemented by part-time volunteers. We offer daily access to a broad range of programs in five Core Program Areas:
•    Education and Career Development
•    Character and Leadership Development
•    Health and Life Skills
•    The Arts
•    Sports, Fitness and Recreation

Today, nearly 3,700 girls and boys are taking advantage of the programs, activities and services provided by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Spokane County. They benefit from trained, caring, professional staff and volunteers who help them take control of their lives, envision productive futures and achieve their goals.  Now, more than ever, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Spokane County fills a crucial need for today’s youth, providing the hope and opportunity kids need to succeed.

Local History

The Boys & Girls Clubs of America has a 140 year tradition of serving young people from disadvantaged economic, social and family circumstances across the U.S., and at the time of our Club’s inception in 2001, Spokane was the largest metropolitan area in the U.S. without a Boys & Girls Club.  In our short nine years of existence, our Clubs have quickly grown from one Clubhouse serving 658 youth in 2001 to three Clubs serving nearly 3,700 youth in 2010.

National History

Boys & Girls Clubs of America had its beginnings in 1860 with several women in Hartford, Connecticut. Believing that boys who roamed the streets should have a positive alternative, they organized the first Club and a cause was born. In 1906, several Boys Clubs decided to affiliate. The Federated Boys Clubs in Boston was formed with 53 member organizations, marking the start of a nationwide movement. In 1931, the Boys Club Federation of America became Boys Clubs of America.

To recognize the fact that girls have long been a part of our cause, the national organization’s name was officially changed to Boys & Girls Clubs of America in 1990.

Boys & Girls Clubs of America marked its centennial year in 2006, celebrating 100 years of providing hope and opportunity to young people across the country.

To learn more about the Boys & Girls Clubs of America visit www.bgca.org