History of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Georgia

Our Mission

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Georgia strives to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. We’re dedicated to providing a safe, positive place and having a significant impact on their lives.

Boys & Girls Clubs Code

In 1938 the Macon Police Cadets was organized, and in 1940 moved to 506 First Street location.

In 1941 the organization changed its name to Young Americans, and in 1944 became affiliated with Boys’ Clubs of America (now Boys & Girls Clubs of America). In 1948 construction began on the Second Street Club, and in 1949 the club opened for operation at 1527 Second Street. In 1972 a groundbreaking was held for the Carl D. Thomas Memorial Club, and in 1974 the Carl D. Thomas Memorial Club was dedicated. Today, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Georgia operates 6 clubs, including one school-based site.

The history of Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Georgia, Inc. does not end here. The work of the Boys & Girls Clubs will continue as long as new challenges, opportunities, and a new generation of youth appear who need support, guidance, and direction from positive role models. For more than 80 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Georgia has provided a safe place for young people to learn and grow while having fun. Our Clubs are a place where great futures are started each and every day. Utilizing six locations within Bibb, Monroe, Houston and Candler Counties, we offer holistic services and nationally recognized programs for young people ages 5 to 18 that address today’s most pressing issues during the critical out-of-school hours when youth are not in school or at home.

What Makes the Boys & Girls Clubs Unique?

Our mission – to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens – encompasses our desire to ensure young people are equipped with the skills and support systems needed to succeed in life. Our vision is to redefine the “success equation” for the nearly 3,000 youth impacted by our staff, programs and services by building an even stronger Club experience, one that is characterized by intensive, targeted support in our three outcome areas:

By providing these opportunities, we will be able to help young people advance through the necessary development milestones needed to grow up to become “productive, caring, and responsible citizens.”

Boys & Girls Clubs provide in its program a contribution to a member that is significant but distinguishable from what they get elsewhere – in school, at home, in church, in other private agencies or through public recreation. Although programs and services vary among individual Clubs depending on their resources, there are specific characteristics common to all of them. The following makes the Boys & Girls Clubs a unique organization:

 

“Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Georgia is committed to Diversity, Equality and Inclusion, and serving communities of color”

It is for boys and girls.

Being a member of the Boys & Girls Clubs satisfies the age-old desire of boys and girls to have a “Club” of their own.

It has full-time professional leadership,

supplemented by part-time workers and volunteers.

It requires no proof of good character.

It helps and guides boys and girls who may be in danger of acquiring, or who already have acquired, unacceptable habits and attitudes, as well as boys and girls of good character.

It assures that all boys and girls can afford to belong.

Membership dues are kept low so that all boys and girls can afford to belong and even the least interested will not be deterred from joining.

It is for all boys and girls.

Boys and girls of all races, religions and ethnic cultures are eligible to become members.

It is building-centered.

Activities are carried on in the warm, friendly atmosphere of a building uniquely designed to conduct programs.

It has an open-door policy.

The Clubs are open to all members at any time during the hours of operation.

It has varied and diversified programs

that recognize and respond to the collective and individual needs of boys and girls.

It is guidance-oriented.

The Boys & Girls Clubs emphasize values in the relationship members have with each other and with their adult leaders. It helps boys and girls make appropriate and satisfying choices in their physical, educational, personal, social, emotional, vocational, and spiritual lives.

The distinctiveness of the Boys & Girls Clubs does not rest on any one of the above characteristics, but rather a combination of them.

Enabling Young People to Reach Their Full Potential

Our Core Promises

  • To America’s Youth: To provide a safe, positive place and have a significant impact on their lives.
  • To the Nation: To uphold high ethical standards in all areas, especially in overseeing our finances, reporting data on membership and community outreach, being good stewards of the donor dollar and representing ourselves to the public.

Our Core Beliefs

  • A safe place to learn and grow.
  • Ongoing relationships with caring, adult professionals.
  • Life-enhancing programs and character development experiences.
  • Hope and opportunity.

Accountability and Transparency