The Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio is proud to be a part of Boys & Girls Clubs of America (www.bgca.org), a 147 year old national movement that serves more than 4.8 million youth with trained professional staff members at 4,300 neighborhood based facilities in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and military bases around the world. Originally formed in 1860 in Hartford, CT, by a group of women as a positive alternative to the streets for boys, it became an affiliated organization in 1906 in Boston, MA when 53 clubs joined to become the Federated Boys Club. Having become the Boys Club of America in 1931, in 1956 it was chartered by the United States Congress. The national organization officially became the Boys & Girls Clubs of America in 1991.

The Boys Clubs opened in San Antonio in 1939 and was located on Dolorosa Street. Over the years the clubs grew in stature, membership and facilities. So much that in 1963, Congressman Henry B. Gonzalez presented then President John F. Kennedy with a gavel and handmade box created by the members in their woodworking shop. In 1976, girls were invited to become members and the name of the clubs was officially changed in 1991 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio.

Through the decades, the programming and facilities have improved but the mission has remained basically the same. The Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio strives to enhance the educational, social, and moral development of San Antonio’s youth, particularly those most disadvantaged, through its services, programs and opportunities. Through the professional staff, thriving facilities, dynamic volunteers, and strong links to the community, the clubs provide professionally designed youth development programs.

Today the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio serves more than 7,300 members, ages 6 – 18, and operates five clubs in the city of San Antonio. The clubs currently in operation are:

MH Calderon Branch 600 SW 19th St	Teen Center 2626 Perez St	Crestholme Branch 1602 Goliad Rd	Eastside Branch 3503 Martin Luther King Drive	Candlewood Branch 3635 Candleglenn Rd.

In addition to the five Clubs, after school on-site services are provided in 12 San Antonio and Edgewood ISD schools. Membership is open to all children in San Antonio for a sliding scale fee based on income and family size and annual membership dues of $20. Our Clubs provide thousands of girls and boys with daily, guidance-oriented character development programs, firmly establishing our reputation as “The Positive Place for Kids.”

Key Boys & Girls Clubs programs emphasize character and leadership development, education and career development, health and life skills, the arts, sports, fitness and recreation. Ancillary programs offered include mentoring – adult and peer, substance abuse prevention, technology training, scouting, and environmental awareness. Counseling and referral services are also available on an as needed basis. At the clubs, the children are surrounded by concerned staff and volunteers who inspire and enable them to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens.

Funding for the clubs comes from BGCA, corporations, foundations, federal and city governments, school districts, special fundraising events, the United Way, and individual donors.