Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford

About the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford (BGCH) • The Boys & Girls Clubs movement began in Hartford in 1860 when three women opened the Dashaway Club for boys. • BGCH is a local non-profit youth development organization comprised of 10 club sites throughout the city of Hartford and one location at the Connecticut Juvenile Training School, which serve children between the ages of 6 and 18. • For nearly 150 years, BGCH has been in the forefront of youth development, working with young people from disadvantaged economic, social and family circumstances. BGCH actively seeks to enrich the lives of girls and boys whom other youth agencies fail to reach. • BGCH’s mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. BGCH achieves this mission by providing strong programs in five core areas: 1) character and leadership development 2) education and career development 3) health and life skills 4) the arts 5) sports, fitness and recreation. • BGCH serves over 8,200 at-risk youth in the city of Hartford and is dedicated to ensuring that our community’s disadvantaged youngsters (ages 6-18) have greater access to quality programs and services that will enhance their lives and positively shape their futures. • BGCH offers young people what they need and want most – adults who respect and listen to them, a safe environment where they can have fun and be themselves and interesting, constructive activities that channel their energy into challenging pursuits.