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For David Whitehead, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati wasn’t just a place to go after school. It was a foundation that helped shape the course of his life. Born and raised in Cincinnati as the youngest of six, David grew up in a home filled with love and support. Both of his parents were present and deeply committed to their family. But like many working parents, they were often busy. The Club became the place where David and his siblings could go, not only to s

Every April, National Volunteer Month gives us the opportunity to recognize the individuals and organizations who make a difference in the lives of young people across our region. At the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati, we are fortunate to have many dedicated volunteers. But few partnerships have stood the test of time quite like our relationship with St. Xavier High School. For more than half a century, St. Xavier students have been a consistent presence in our Cl

A Safe Place That Shaped a Life of Service For Jeremy Head, the Boys & Girls Club wasn’t just somewhere to go after school. It was a place that changed the course of his life. Growing up just a few blocks from the former Espy Club on Glenway Avenue in Cincinnati, Jeremy became a member in 1991 and stayed connected to the Club through 2004. During those years, he was there almost every day. “It was a safe place for me,” Jeremy said. “The Club gave me somewhere to go, somet

Update: Hon’essty went on to represent the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati in the next stage of the Youth of the Year competition for the State of Ohio on April 14 in Columbus, OH. She took third place out of nine finalists and was awarded an additional $2,500 scholarship for her achievement! Every year, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati celebrates some of the most inspiring young leaders in our community through the Youth of the Year awards. The annual

For nearly three decades, Ms. Veronica Renee Pitts has been a constant at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati’s Avondale Club, known today as the Dudley S. Taft Club. Since October 17, 1995, Ms. Pitts has welcomed generations of young people through the Club’s doors, guiding, encouraging and supporting them along the way. A popular opinion around Avondale is that she’s “raised half the neighborhood.” And after nearly 30 years of service, it’s easy to understand why.

At Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati, we talk a lot about building great futures. But we also know something just as important: kids can’t chase their dreams if they don’t feel healthy, supported and confident in who they are. That’s why Fit for Life is such a meaningful part of our mission. It’s more than just sports or gym time. It’s an ongoing commitment to whole child development. From movement and nutrition to emotional wellness and stress management, our Clubs

From Club Member to Catalyst of Creativity and Connection When you walk into a Boys & Girls Club in Cincinnati, you might not expect that one of the young faces you see today will one day circle back as a leader, a creator and an inspiration. But that’s exactly the journey of Armani Yett- someone whose path has taken him across cities, through triumphs and trials, and back to the community that gave him his first sense of belonging. A Place That Felt Like Home Armani’s stor

Celebrating the power of mentorship this National Mentoring Month Every child benefits from having an adult who believes in them, listens to them and helps them find their voice. Those relationships are at the heart of how we support young people to build confidence, set goals and grow them into leaders. Research shows that youth with mentors are more likely to stay engaged in school and make positive choices because mentors offer the support that can change the course of a y

Finding Safety, Purpose and a Calling to Give Back To Egyptian Banks, known to most as Gyp, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati was never just an afterschool program. It was a safe place, a support system and at critical moments, a lifeline. Gyp grew up in Cincinnati and moved around a lot with his family. His connection to BGCGC began when they lived in English Woods, and his mother landed a job at the Clem and Ann Buenger Club, so she brought Gyp and his sisters

By Bill Bresser, CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati When I first joined the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati (BGCGC) more than two decades ago, I never imagined I’d one day be writing about completing the largest youth development capital campaign in Cincinnati’s history. But here we are. Our campaign, A New Generation , has officially closed after raising more than $50 million. This not only makes it the largest youth development campaign our region ha

A Holiday Filled with Joy Community and Life-Changing Moments Every year, the holiday season brings a special kind of magic to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati. It is a time when our Clubs shine brightest. Our members gather for traditions they love, our community partners show their generosity in incredible ways and our staff gets to witness moments that remind us why this work matters so deeply. This year may be our most joyful holiday season yet. Kicking Of

For Jaden Maple, the doors of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati opened a world of possibility. What started in middle school as a safe place to hang out and get help with her homework became a foundation for purpose, community and real growth. A Club Kid Finds a Home Jaden grew up in Cincinnati and attended school in the West Clermont district. She first discovered BGCGC while she was in middle school at Glen Este. The Club was brand new at her school at the time

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati (BGCGC) marked a major milestone in October, celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Larry & Rhonda Sheakley Club in Price Hill. The celebration, held Tuesday, October 21, brought together Club members, staff and longtime supporters to honor a decade of impact and unveil a newly renovated space inside the Sheakley Club as part of BGCGC’s A New Generation capital campaign. Larry and Rhonda Sheakley, whose generosity and vision have

This fall brought a milestone moment for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati. On Thursday, October 20, 2025, we officially opened the Western & Southern Youth Workforce Development Center, a first-of-its-kind facility designed entirely for high school teens across Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. What began as a dream more than two years ago is now a welcoming, inspiring space where young people can discover pathways to their future. A Space Designed for T

How a volunteer’s heart for teaching became a lifelong mission of service When Bill Bresser first walked through the doors of the Espy Club in Lower Price Hill more than twenty years ago, he wasn’t looking for a career. A University of Cincinnati graduate with a degree in biology, he thought his path might lead to teaching or medical research. But when a friend suggested he volunteer as a tutor with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati, Bill decided to give it a try

Breaking Cycles, Building Connections A Club That Opened New Worlds For Tammy Riddle, the Chase & Cole Fischer Club was more than a...

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati (BGCGC) stands at a pivotal moment. Through our A New Generation capital campaign, the...

At Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati, our programming is about much more than just keeping kids busy. We’re preparing our students...

A Place to Grow Up and Stand Out For Bryanna Hall, the Boys & Girls Clubs wasn’t just a place to go after school. It was a second home, a...

Michael Chapman didn’t realize the Boys & Girls Club had changed his life until decades after he first walked through its doors. Like...