Who We Are (partnerships, family, community)
Our Mission
The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Chattahoochee Valley are devoted to helping young people in our area, especially those who need us most, develop the skills and attitudes to become productive citizens and leaders. Our core beliefs are that a Boys & Girls Club provides a safe place to learn and grow; ongoing relationships with caring adults; life enhancing programs and character development experiences; and hope and opportunity.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Chattahoochee Valley is a charter member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. B&GCA’s tradition of service to our nation’s youth began in 1860, when the first Boys Club was established in Hartford, Connecticut. Since then, the organization has grown to serve some 4.8 million youth annually in more than 4,000 Boys & Girls Clubs across the country. B&GCA have not only experienced dramatic growth over the last several years, but has also become one of the nation’s leading charities. The Chronicle of Philanthropy ranked B&GCA as one of the top non-profit organizations, while placing B&GCA in the No. 1 position among youth organizations for the twelfth consecutive year.
Our History
In 1937, Mr. Curtis Jordan, Sr., looked about the neighborhoods of Jordan City and decided that some constructive program was needed for the boys of that area. After exploring the need with his friends in the civic and industrial community, it was decided that a Boys Club would be the ideal facility. Mr. Jordan led in the organization of the Columbus Boys Club, in which he donated the original building and grounds at the present site on 29th Street. The Columbus Boys Club Board of Directors went on to support the opening of the South and East Columbus Clubs.
In 1955, the Woodruff family donated land on Cusseta Road in South Columbus for the building of the South Columbus Boys Club. A building committee of the Board of Directors and the Junior League of Columbus pledged the responsibility of raising $50,000 for the new building and The Bradley Foundation constructed a swimming pool for the Club. By March of 1967, the Club had tripled in membership and was opening a new 7,000 square foot addition under the leadership of Board President, Mr. Madden Hatcher, Jr. At that time, the Club also purchased four more acres of land for an
athletic field.
After 1967, the East Columbus Boys Club was started and the Phenix City Boys Club merged with the Columbus organization. In 1997, the Boys Club of Columbus & Phenix City changed its membership dramatically and became the Boys & Girls Club of Columbus & Phenix City.
In April 2006, to better serve the children of Phenix City, the North Phenix City Club merged with the Phenix-Russell Boys & Girls Club organization. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Columbus and Phenix City became the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Chattahoochee Valley. The Phenix City Club is no longer operated by the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Chattahoochee Valley.
The organization has grown to serve over 4,000 children in five clubs annually. The clubs are open every day after school where trained and professional staff members eagerly wait to greet our children to be positive role models and mentors for them. Annual membership is affordable at $20.00 per child and membership is available to all children ages 6-18. During the summer, our program is offered Monday through Friday at the North Columbus, South Columbus and East Columbus Clubs.
