Our History

Over 130 Years of Empowering Boston and Chelsea’s Youth and Shaping Future Leaders

Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston (BGCB) has been a beacon of hope and opportunity for the city’s youth. Since 1893, BGCB has continuously evolved to meet the changing needs of Boston and Chelsea’s young people. Throughout its history, the organization has remained committed to fostering a sense of safety and belonging, adapting its programs and services to address the most pressing challenges facing urban youth.

Today, BGCB stands at the forefront of addressing systemic inequities and closing opportunity gaps. Under the visionary leadership of Robert Lewis Jr., the organization is expanding its reach across eight Clubs and YouthConnect programs. BGCB’s impact extends far beyond its walls, fostering partnerships with over 185 community organizations and spearheading initiatives that prepare youth for higher education and meaningful careers. With a commitment to excellence and a belief in the limitless potential of every young person, BGCB continues to shape the future leaders of Boston and Chelsea.

1893

Bunker Hill Boys Club Opens:

In order to provide a safe, productive space for boys, Roxbury Boys Club opens. In 2006, the Club reopens following renovation and expansion, as the Yawkey Club of Roxbury.

1910

Roxbury Boys Club Opens:

Frank S. Mason founds the Bunker Hill Boys Club. Doors open in Charlestown on March 11, 1893 with an initial membership of 38 boys.

1925

Boys Clubs of Boston:

Bunker Hill Boys Club and Roxbury Boys Club merge as Boys Clubs of Boston, bringing together two strong institutions to create a more effective organization for the community.

1936

First Summer Camp:

BGCB opens Camp Wing in Duxbury. Today, it offers full-day camps for seven weeks at each of its sites.

1938

South Boston Club Opens:

South Boston Boys Club is founded, enlisting 500 new members in its first year.

1974

Busing Crisis-A Safe Haven:

Then and now, Clubs serve as a beacon for kids looking for a safe place where they are accepted and protected without regard to the color of their skin.

1981

Organization Renamed Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston:

Girls, many of whom have been attending the Clubs since 1973, are officially admitted to all Clubs as full members. The organization is formally renamed “Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston,” the first in the country to include girls in the name.

1992

Midnight Basketball:

During a period of some of the worst gang violence in the city’s history, the Clubs use basketball to calm tensions.

1993

Chelsea Club Opens:

BGCB opens a site in the Innes Housing Development. In 2002, it moves to its new home and is renamed the Gerald and Darlene Jordan Club/Kraft Family Youth Center.

1995

Blue Hill Club Opens:

A new center is constructed in Dorchester; during the inaugural summer season, more than 200 boys and girls learn to swim. In 2016, the Club is renamed the Berkshire Partners Blue Hill Club in honor of the long-standing and ongoing commitment of individuals at Berkshire Partners.

1996

YouthConnect is Established:

Originally known as Youth Service Providers Network (YSPN), this partnership with the Boston Police Department features licensed clinical social workers who provide immediate intervention initiatives for vulnerable youth.

2005

Dearborn Joins BGCB:

BGCB assumes management of the Club at Dearborn Middle School in Roxbury, making it an additional “Shared Space” Club organized by BGCB.

2007

First Music Clubhouse:

The Blue Hill Club is renovated. New features of the Club include the organization’s first Music Clubhouse, which can today be found in six BGCB locations.

Summer and Condon Clubs Open:

Two new Shared Space Clubs join the BGCB family thanks to Charles Sumner Elementary and Condon Elementary.

2009

Franklin Hill Club Opens:

In addition to offering a breadth of programming, such as homework help and music lessons, the new Shared Space Club’s proximity to the Blue Hill Club grants access to facilities such as the pool.

2011

Orchard Gardens Club Opens:

Dearborn Club staff and membership relocate to a new facility at the Orchard Gardens Community Center.

2013

Hennigan Club Opens:

BGCB implements after-school programming at the James W. Hennigan Elementary School in Jamaica Plain, allowing BGCB to serve an additional 100 youth.

2014

Mattapan Teen Center Opens:

The first standalone teen center welcomes 260 teens in its first year, with programs ranging from theater and fitness in its Foundation Room to production and recording in Mattapan Records.

2018

125 Years of Service:

BGCB celebrates the 125th anniversary of opening its doors and creating opportunities for the children and teens of Boston and Chelsea.

2020

Amidst a global pandemic, BGCB remains a community hub by distributing food and resources, hosting vaccination clinics, and extending hours to host members for virtual learning. In the earliest days of the pandemic, BGCB quickly pivoted to an all-virtual program curriculum.

2022

Robert Lewis, Jr. begins his tenure as Nicholas President and CEO and the organization’s 16th leader. He is an alumnus of Salesian Boys & Girls Club of East Boston.

2023

Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston celebrates its 130th year and embarks on a staff-led Strategic Plan that is bold, aspirational, inclusive, actionable, and community-centric.

A Glimpse into Our History: Celebrating the Faces and Moments That Shaped BGCB

Explore images from the past that highlight the journey of Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston and the young people who have been part of our story. These snapshots capture the moments, memories, and milestones that have shaped the lives of our members and the community over the years.