Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis history

1897: Butler Memorial Boys Club opened at Madison Avenue and Meridian St

Funds were used to construct a multipurpose room on the north side of the gymnasium, renovation of the exterior and interior of the old Gardner School building, which was built in 1899.

1913: Camp opened in Noblesville

1926: English Avenue Club opened

1944: Women’s Auxiliary Founded

1955: Salk Park Club Opened

1966: Atkins Club Opened

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

1971: LeGore Club Opens

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

1974: Keenan-Stahl Club joins BGCI

In June, 1976 the Clubs’ only Executive Director, Chuck Duncan, resigned and moved to Texas.

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.

In the summer of 1981, a grant was received from the John Will Anderson foundation to construct a 15,932 square foot Clubhouse on a parcel of land at 723 Long Run Road.

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

In 1985 a capital campaign fund drive resulted in $132,000, and a match from a local foundation for a total of $700,000.

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.

1990: Concord Club Opens

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 December, 1994 the Board of Directors approved a 62×41 addition to the east end of the South Haven Unit games room to serve as a multipurpose room, and the remodeling of an unused locker room to house a teen center.

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.

On February 23, 1997 the Official Dedication Ceremony was held at the new Club.

The Culver Club is located in an elementary school and is open Monday – Friday from 2:30 – 7:00, and has been in operation since 2000.

2001: School Sites Open

Full unit status was achieved in July 2003.

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

Over $500,000 in endowment gifts was generated after an anonymous donor was secured providing a two to one match of all endowment gifts invested in 2006.

South Haven Member Dawn Williams was named State Youth of the Year in April of 2010.

2011: Education Initiative Begins

2012: Education Directors and Graduation for Mas Counselors added to Facility Sites

2015: Expanded kitchens and cafeterias open in the Clubs

2016: Finish Line Club Opens

2018: Indianapolis Boys & Girls Club Celebrates 125th Anniversary