Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence

CONTACT:

136 Water Street
Lawrence, MA 01841
978-689-0608 ext. 111
www.lawrencebgc.com

Markus Fischer, Executive Director

DESCRIPTION:

A Boys Club of Lawrence was founded in 1891 “to take boys from the streets and demoralizing surroundings and influences.” At its Centennial in 1991, the Boys Club became the Boys & Girls Club—an affiliate of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the nationwide network of more than 4,000 local, autonomous organizations, focusing primarily on disadvantaged youth. For a symbolic membership fee of $20, the Lawrence B&G Club offers many educational and athletic activities, help with high school and college admissions, a community and family life-style that many members lack at home—in Lawrence, hot suppers for 350 youngsters five nights a week— many kids stand in line for 45 minutes just to get dinner and probably wouldn't eat an evening meal at all if it weren't for the Club. There are also regular celebrations: a Back-To-School Dance, Halloween Party with costume prizes, Thanksgiving dinner, a Holiday Party with gifts, a high school graduation party, awards and recognition events. In summers, a seven-week “camp” features tennis, horseback riding, boating, and free lunches. In 2006 BGCL opened a new 58,000 sq. ft. Clubhouse featuring swimming, dance, arts and crafts, dining, kitchen, pool and games, two study rooms, three gyms, computers, and a digital recording studio. This 32% increase in space has attracted 60% more teens and 43% more daily attendance. BGCL has 3,000 members and 350 volunteers, so per capita cost is $700. They are first in the nation in finalists for the B&GC Youth of the Year award. Lawrence High School has a dropout rate of 60%; BGCL’s graduation rate is over 90%.

(2008: HUMAN SERVICES: Children & Youth: General)