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OVERVIEW OF ORGANIZATION
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County is a private, not-for-profit organization. We are a member of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, which is a nationwide affiliation of 2,800 local, autonomous Club organizations that work to help young people of all backgrounds develop the qualities they need to become responsible citizens and leaders.
We are a United Way of Porter County agency, are facility-based, and offer year-round access to a broad range of programs in
five Core Program areas:
* Education and Career Development
* Character and Leadership Development
* Health and Life Skills
* The Arts
* Sports, Fitness, and Recreation.
Incorporated in 1970, we have facilities located in Valparaiso, South Haven, Portage, and Chesterton. We also provide a before and after school child care program in nine school sites covering three different school corporations. This program is called Kidstop. We currently have over 3,700 members, and average over 900 participants on a daily basis.
At our sites, we have full sized gymnasiums, gamesrooms, and teen centers; as well as learning centers, conference rooms, and computer labs. We have strong relationships with the local school corporations, and place heavy emphasis on educational programming.
TO ACCOMPLISH OUR MISSION, WE PRACTICE A SET OF PRINCIPLES WHICH REINFORCES:
* A sense of competence - the feeling there is something boys and girls can do well.
* A sense of usefulness - the opportunity for kids to do something of value for other
people.
* A sense of belonging - the Club is a setting where kids know they have a place where
they "fit" and are accepted.
* A sense of power or influence - a chance for boys & girls to be heard and to influence
decisions.
When these principles are fully implemented, the self esteem of boys & girls is enhanced and an environment is created which helps them achieve their full potential.
HISTORY AND GROWTH
1969 The need for a Boys Club in Valparaiso was determined.
1970 The Valparaiso Community Boys Club was incorporated August 19, 1970.
1971 The Valparaiso Club's first home, in the basement of the Westminister Hall, was opened on October 18, 1970 with 300 members the first year.
1972 The John Anderson Foundation purchased the old Gardner School at 354 W. Jefferson Street, in December 1972, and converted it to the Boys Club.
1974 Valparaiso is the first club in Indiana to admit girls to common membership, and the second club to change the name to Boys & Girls Clubs.
1979 Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County expands into South Haven.
1990 January 1990, the first three before- and after-school childcare sites called Kidstop were opened.
1996 December 26, 1996 the Portage Boys & Girls Club opens its doors.
2006 October 2, 2006 the Duneland Boys & Girls Club opens its doors.
2007 September 10, 2007 the Culver Boys & Girls Club becomes part of the family.
2007 The Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County has grown from 300 members at 1 site, to include over 5,100 members, 5 Club locations, and 9 Kidstop sites serving 4 school corporations in Porter County.
For a more detailed history click here.
Page last updated on 4/18/08