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 A Club Grows in Bethalto:
The Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s tradition of service to the nation’s youth began in 1860, when the first Boys Club was established in Hartford, Connecticut. The organization has grown to serve more than 3 million youth annually in the 2,600 Boys & Girls Clubs across the country.
The Bethalto Club was started in 1968 by a small group of local parents and businessmen who felt the need to provide the young boys of the area with “a positive place to go”. The group formed a board, incorporated as a not for profit, bought and converted an old church building, and began operating the Boys Club of Bethalto with all volunteers. The Boys Club of Bethalto became an affiliate of the national Boys & Girls Clubs of America organization after meeting the requirements of membership. The board hired a full-time executive director in 1972. They moved from the small church building to the current, larger space when the school district offered to lease the building to the Club. In 1989, recognizing the need to serve girls as well, the Club changed its name to the Boys & Girls Club of Bethalto. Today the Club serves over 1600 youth annually from Bethalto and 14 surrounding communities; a huge increase from the 50 boys served during the first years.
Mission:
To inspire and enable all young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens.
Core Beliefs:The Boys & Girls Club of Bethalto provides:
A safe place to learn and grow
Ongoing relationships with caring, adult professionals
Life-enhancing programs and character development experiences
Hope and opportunity
Youth Development Strategy:
We believe that by using this strategy in our work with youth, we will give them the skills to make responsible choices and act against negative influences in their lives.
- A sense of belonging- provide a setting where he/she feels welcome and fits in.
- A sense of usefulness- provide the opportunity to contribute and do something of value for others.
- A sense of competence- provide opportunities for success so they feel there is something they do well and that is respected by their peers.
- A sense of power or influence- provide an opportunity to be heard, listened to, cared about, and to influence decisions.
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