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82 W o r c e s t e r 3 0 0 : C i t y o f I n n o v a t o r s F or 133 years, the Boys & Girls Club of Worcester has provided mentoring, tutoring, meals, and more to the city's youth. Since 1889, this non-profit organization has risen to every challenge, doing whatever it takes. Adhering to its mission of helping kids fulfill their potential, the Club has evolved over time. When world wars thrust mothers into the workforce as fathers served in the military, the Boys & Girls Club stepped in to provide a safe place for children that included health care, meals, and homework help. As gas shortages impacted travel and stretched family budgets during the Depression and multiple gas crises, the Club offered a safe haven within walking distance, providing children and families with confidants, sports, and clothing. During the recent pandemic, the Club again took the lead, opening emergency childcare to children as young as two. "We solely supported hospital professionals and first responders for the first three months," said Executive Director Liz Hamilton. "During this time, we also saw an increased need for food, so we grew our food pantry and gave away free produce and dairy to 250 families each week." In the 1990s, the Club changed its name to formally reflect the participation of girls. It also grew its geographic footprint, opening outreach sites for the kids of Great Brook Valley and Plumley Village, as well as an EEC-licensed childcare. In 2006, the organization moved its headquarters to a purpose-built facility in Main South, the result of a successful capital campaign. e Worcester Club became the Webster-Dudley Club's managing partner in 2019, welcoming 500 more youth into the fold. rough the years, the Boys & Girls Club of Worcester has evolved to meet the ever- changing needs of youth and the community. "Every program and service we provide is due to our kids telling us what they want and need," said Hamilton. By including youth voice in everything they do, Club staff are working to address racial inequity and the social-emotional health of members and their families. e agency's record can be seen in its graduation rate. For at least the past five years, 100% of its high school seniors have graduated with their class and gone on to an institution of higher learning. While the Club has achieved an enviable track record since its inception, it seeks to enhance its presence in the community and deliver more high-quality programs and services. To that end, the Club recently kicked off its first-ever endowment campaign, Foundation For the Future. e goal is to raise $10 million in five years. Focused on quality programs, the endowment will ensure that members receive a fun and safe experience and cultivate a sense of belonging as well as strong skillsets for future success. An endowment will also allow the Club to preserve its facility with ongoing maintenance and capital improvements, so it will still be an important asset for our city for another 133 years. As the Boys & Girls Club has evolved throughout its history, the organization has le an indelible imprint on the city of Worcester. n BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF WORCESTER: Doing Whatever It Takes 65 Boys & Girls Club Way, Worcester, MA 01610 508-754-2686 www.bgcworcester.org Liz Hamilton, Executive Director Year Founded: 1889 "Since 1889, the Boys & Girls Club of Worcester has risen to every challenge, doing whatever it takes." S P O N S O R E D P R O F I L E S