Boys & Girls Club NW history

A quote from the program of the Club's official opening in 1949 says it best: "It's better to make boys than to mend men".

1953 Lents Elementary becomes first Clubhouse on SE 93rd & Harold St

After the war, the Boys' Clubs continued to spread across the country, so that by the time Hall retired in 1954 the number of clubs had grown to 375 and the budget increased to $8 million.

A former Club athletic director, Bear became the Executive Director in 1957.

In 1960 the organization celebrated the 100th anniversary since the founding of the first Dashaway Club, and opened a new national headquarters building in New York, located across from the United Nations Building.

Hall, William Edwin, 100 Years and Millions of Boys, New York: Farrar, Straus and Cudahy, 1961.

1969 Sellwood-Moreland Boys Club joins organization

The Valparaiso Community Boys’ Club was incorporated August 19, 1970.

The Club opened on October 18, 1971 and although it was small, it was well received with 300 members the first year.

In December 1972, the Valparaiso Club was moved from Franklin Street to the old Gardner School at 354 W. Jefferson Street.

1973 Organization changed name to Boys Clubs of Portland Metropolitan Area

1976 First endowment established with $20,000 from Club parent

In May, 1979, Executive Director Chuck Leer felt that expansion of the Club into other areas of the county should be considered.

In April, 1980 the Corporate Board of Directors was established.

1981 First Youth Partner Lunch, later to be annual Youth of the Year Banquet

In June, 1982 the South Haven Boys Club’s doors were open to the youth of South Haven.

1985 Name formally changed to Boys & Girls Clubs of Portland Metropolitan Area

In 1987 Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County underwent an exhaustive long range planning process gathering information from current and past members, and the parents of the members.

Garth, who was named national director in 1988, not only supported the increased participation of girls but also made an effort to bring clubs to where children most needed them.

1989 Sellwood Moreland Club moves to Milwaukie Ave., named F.G. Meyer Memorial Club

In January 1990 the first three Kidstop sites were opened and throughout the spring semester our average daily attendance was 24.

By November, 1993 our three afternoon only sites had expanded to ten sites in four school corporations serving an average of 250 children before and after school.

In 1994 the program had expanded to include three kindergarten programs.

The Needs Assessment survey was completed in January, 1995 and indicated youth problems such as drug and alcohol abuse, child abuse, lack of values, teen pregnancy, unemployment, and poor self-esteem were all major concerns of the Portage community.

1996 Blazers Boys & Girls Club opens on Martin Luther King Blvd in NE Portland

The Marketing Committee began work on plans for the celebration of Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County’s 25th Anniversary in 1997.

Renovation of the John Will Anderson Boys & Girls Club begins and is finished in early 2000.

The Cannon Foundation was instrumental in funding the construction of the Club's current facility, which opened in December 2002, almost 53 years to the day that the original Concord Community Boys Club opened.

The Club's other major fundraiser is the Boys & Girls Club Golf Classic, which teed off in 2003 and is held each year in June.

By November, the Portage Club was serving an average of 199 youth a day marking a 57% increase over November 2004.

In terms of revenue, the Festival of Trees, which originated in 2005 is now the Club's biggest fundraiser.

2006 Hillsboro Club expansion and naming to Inukai Family Club

2007 Regence Club opens in New Columbia

2009 Neil Armstrong Middle School program launches

The 40th Anniversary celebration continued in 2012.

2013 BGCP creates after school programming in Reynolds Schools

2017 Rockwood Boys & Girls Club opens in East County