BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF THE COASTAL BEND (BGCCB) HISTORY
The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Bend’s (BGCCB) first club was established in 1957 at the La Armada Housing projects in Corpus Christi by Sheridan Lewis, the President of Southern Community Gas Company. The demand for a Club in our community was so overwhelming that the Club's location changed twice with in a 12 year span to accommodate growth. The opening of the Greenwood Unit in 1969 was able to provide adequate space for the increasing demand. Still operational today, the Greenwood Unit is a 30,000 square foot facility on 15-acres of land in the heart of the economically depressed west side of Corpus Christi.
Since 1957, it has been BGCCB’s mission to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Our vision is to provide a world-class club experience that assures success is within reach of every young person who enters our doors, with all members on track to graduate from high school with a plan for the future, demonstrating good character & citizenship, and living a healthy lifestyle. Annually, we serve over 5,400 youth, ranging from 6-18 years of age, through our after-school programs, summer camps, sports leagues, and community events at our three locations: the Greenwood Unit and two on-site after-school programs at Flour Bluff ISD and London ISD.
Since 1957, it has been BGCCB’s mission to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Our vision is to provide a world-class club experience that assures success is within reach of every young person who enters our doors, with all members on track to graduate from high school with a plan for the future, demonstrating good character & citizenship, and living a healthy lifestyle. Annually, we serve over 5,400 youth, ranging from 6-18 years of age, through our after-school programs, summer camps, sports leagues, and community events at our three locations: the Greenwood Unit and two on-site after-school programs at Flour Bluff ISD and London ISD.
WHY BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS?
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Bend (BGCCB) is the place that fills the gap between school and home. Through our efforts we are able to reduce the risk of children being unsupervised, unguided, and unsafe when school is not in session. Providing unique opportunities to our under-served at-risk youth, allows them to participate in programs and activities that they may not otherwise be able to experience.
BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF AMERICA (BGCA) MOVEMENT
In every community, boys and girls are left to find their own recreation and companionship in the streets. An increasing number of children are at home with no adult care or supervision. Young people need to know that someone cares about them. Boys & Girls Clubs offer that and more. Club programs and services promote and enhance the development of boys and girls by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging and influence. Boys & Girls Clubs of America had its beginnings in 1860 with three women in Hartford, Conn.: Mary Goodwin,Alice Goodwin and Elizabeth Hammersley. Believing that boys who roamed the streets should have a positive alternative, they organized the first Club. A cause was born. Today, Boys & Girls Clubs annually serve nearly 4 million young people, through membership and community outreach, in over 4,100 Club facilities throughout the country and BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide.
WHATEVER IT TAKES TO BUILD GREAT FUTURES!
