Who We Are
Our mission is to enable all young people in Wisconsin, especially those who need opportunity the most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible adults. We are advocates for children, and for what they need in Wisconsin.
About Us
Our 26 Club Agencies across Wisconsin oversee 203 sites in 77 cities across our state. Every year, we work with over 117,800 Wisconsin youth to help them succeed in work, school and life. We provide over 2.1 million meals and snacks to kids for free each year, because it's hard to grow and learn when you’re hungry.
Wisconsin Clubs serve more youth than any other state organization outside of the public school system, and more kids per population than any state in the country. We aspire to provide every school age youth, particularly those who are at risk, with a quality out-of-school experience if they want one.
What We Do
Our focus is moving the needle with measurable outcomes for academic achievement, career skill building, workforce development, juvenile crime reduction, prevention of opioid abuse, improved mental health, and positive civic engagement. We organize our clubs into a single force of leverage and influence, and secure state and private funding to make a real impact across Wisconsin.
What our clubs provide:
All of Wisconsin's Clubs offer unique programs that promote the positive development of young people by instilling a sense of belonging, a sense of usefulness, a sense of influence or power, and a sense of competence. These are all qualities that enhance our young people's self-esteem, and empower them to reach their full potential.
"The Club saw leadership capabilities in me, and changed the direction of my destiny."
-Tommy Walls, 2010 Wisconsin Youth of the Year
Our History
Back in 1860, several women in Hartford, Connecticut, believed boys had a positive alternative to roaming the streets. These women founded the first Club, and thus began Boys & Girls Clubs of America. In 1906, several Boys Clubs decided to affiliate, forming the Federated Boys Clubs in Boston with 53 member organizations. This marked the start of a nationwide Movement. In 1931, the Boys Club Federation of America became Boys Clubs of America.
In 1956, Boys Clubs of America celebrated its 50th anniversary and received a U.S. Congressional Charter. To recognize the fact that girls are a part of our cause, the national organization’s name was changed to Boys & Girls Clubs of America in 1990.