BGC Canada
Formation1900
TypeYouth organization
Legal statusNon-profit organization
Purpose"To provide safe, supportive places where children and youth can experience new opportunities, overcome barriers, build positive relationships, and develop confidence and skills for life."
HeadquartersToronto, Ontario
Region served
Canada
President & CEO
Owen Charters[1]
Websitebgccan.com

BGC Canada (Formerly known as Boys & Girls Clubs of Canada) is a national, nonprofit organization that supports local BGC Clubs with programs for physical activity, healthy living, learning, job training, leadership, and creative expression. With locations in small towns and large cities, as well as rural and Indigenous communities, BGC Clubs provide services to young people during critical out-of-school hours.

History

In 1900, a group of concerned local citizens in Saint John, New Brunswick set up a "public playground movement" to provide a safe place for children to play, in particular boys from disadvantaged circumstances who had no place to go after school. Originally established as the "Every Day Club," it was later named The East End Boys Club of Saint John, the first "Boys Club" in Canada.

In 1929, the Boys’ Club Federation of Canada was officially established by Vernon McAdam, the first National Executive Director. In 1947, the organization was renamed Boys’ Clubs of Canada, and a year later was recognized by Parliament of Canada as a national, nonprofit organization. In 1974, to reflect the growing number of young girls participating in Club programs, the organization changed its name to "Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada."[2]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, BGC Canada received a $500,000 grant from the Public Health Agency of Canada's Immunization Partnership Fund to combat vaccine hesitancy and promote COVID-19 vaccine uptake in families and youth accessing BGC programs.[3]

Size and reach

As of 2019, BGC Canada serves 200,000 children and youth at 700 service locations across the country. The Clubs employ 6,720 staff members and have 18,200 volunteers. In 2018, BGC Canada offered 26 national programs, facilitated $182,270 in scholarships, and allocated $6.2 million in grants to Clubs. Since 1900, Boys and Girls Clubs have helped over 3 million young Canadians.[4]

Board of directors

The voluntary Board of Directors provides national leadership, making policy directions and decisions and assigning responsibilities for implementation and management to the President & CEO.

2019 National Board[5]

Officers

  • Felix Wu, Chair
  • Thomas Clift, Vice-Chair
  • David Mather, Treasurer / BGCC Foundation Chair
  • Holly Toupin, Secretary

Directors

  • Becky Penrice
  • Michelle Banik
  • Gordon Floyd
  • Nicole Galarneau
  • Sarah Midanik
  • Rachel Barry
  • Shawn Cornett
  • Bob Harriman
  • Trevor Daroux
  • Davinder Valeri

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Executive Team - Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada". BGC Canada. Retrieved 2018-01-24.
  2. ↑ "History & Foundation - Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada". Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada. Retrieved 2018-01-24.
  3. ↑ Public Health Agency of Canada (2022-10-12). "Immunization Partnership Fund". Government of Canada. Archived from the original on 2022-11-04. Retrieved 2022-11-04.
  4. ↑ "Annual Report | Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada". Retrieved 2019-06-27.
  5. ↑ "Board of Directors - Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada". Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada. Retrieved 2018-01-24.
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