OVERVIEW
BUILDING ON A STRONG FOUNDATION
THAT BEGAN IN BENTON HARBOR, MI.
Our mission is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens.
For more than 20 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Southwest Michigan has been helping kids aged 6–18 create Great Futures. In addition to recreational and extracurricular activities, the Club provides after-school tutoring to put kids on a path for academic success, mentoring to guide members to create good character and leadership, and proven programming for youth to have access to healthy lifestyles.
Our Commitment to Community
At Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Southwest Michigan, we stand for the future of southwest Michigan’s youth. We celebrate diversity and unequivocally condemn any act of discrimination. Safety, health, dignity, inclusion and equitable opportunity are essential to our mission and our impact. More importantly, we encourage young people to harness the power of their voice.
At Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Southwest Michigan, our mission is to inspire and enable all young people to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens. As youth allies and advocates, we must do our part in combating racism and inequity through the experiences we provide to young people, the way we lead our organizations, and how we elevate issues that matter for kids and teens.
It is our responsibility to commit to equity in clear, bold ways. We acknowledge that opportunities are not equal for all and that significant and sustained change is required. Systems, policies, practices and ideologies continue to disadvantage, discriminate and disempower people based on race, ethnicity, gender, religion, identity or socio-economic status. For far too long, systemic barriers, bias and racism have resulted in social, political, health and economic inequities. We will take action to eradicate anything standing in the way of realizing our goal to advance inclusion for the youth, families and communities we serve.
We believe:
- All young people should be afforded the guarantee of fair treatment, access and opportunity. At the Club we commit to generating fun and fostering a sense of belonging.
- There are historically marginalized, underserved and underrepresented populations.
- Systemic racism has a traumatic impact on young people. We can address it through supportive relationships with peers and adults.
- Our mission compels us to identify and eliminate barriers that have prevented the full participation and advancement of some groups in this country, particularly Black, Brown, Indigenous and other persons of color.
- We are also dedicated to creating a safe, positive environment and equitable opportunities for those who identify as LGTBQ+.
- Providing opportunities and setting expectations to dismantle oppressive and unjust systems is complex, and the process requires intentional and decisive action nationally, locally and within our own organizations.
- Addressing systemic injustice cannot be accomplished by a single organization. It is only through a collective effort and intentional recognition that we can create a future that is equitable and accessible to all.
Italicized words/phrases represent the BGCA Five Key Elements of Youth Development, the foundation of targeted Boys & Girls Club programming.
Celebrating more than 20 Years of service to the community
List of Services
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1998—A COMMUNITY COMES TOGETHERList Item 1
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Benton Harbor was incorporated in September 1998 after the community recognized that its children would benefit from academic support opportunities, recreation, health and life skills, education, and fine arts. They knew it had to be in a safe place with caring, professional adults to mentor, lead and guide them on their developmental path. Together, Benton Harbor Area Schools, concerned parents, community leaders, and public and private entities, met to conceptualize an affiliation with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
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1999—THE FIRST CLUB OPENSList Item 2
The first location for the Club was at the Armory in 1999, moving to the Berrien Homes Public Housing in Benton Harbor in 2000.
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2001—THE CLUB CONTINUES TO EXPAND AND OUTGROW SPACEList Item 3
In June 2001, the Club obtained a lease on the former Bard Elementary School.
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2002—TEEN OUTREACHList Item 4
In order to reach and serve unique issues to area teens, the Charles Gray Teen Center was added in 2002.
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2012—BUILDING A LEGACY
After a capital campaign in 2012, Boys & Girls Clubs of Benton Harbor opened two new state-of-the-art buildings to better serve youth and teens. Elementary and middle school children attend the Fettig Youth Campus facility located at 600 Nate Wells Senior Drive, Benton Harbor, Michigan. High school members attend the Joel E. Smilow Teen Center located at 190 W. Empire Street, Benton Harbor, Michigan.
Youth of the Year Winners:
2012 Trianna Sutton-Sims, Michigan Youth of the Year
2013 Whisper Simmons
2014 Jasmnika Newbern, Midwest Regional Youth of the Year
2015 Mardarius Small
2016 Brandy Reed
2017 Imani Lee
2018 Quincy Sulton, Michigan Youth of the Year
2019 Malik Jackson
2020 Tekeidra Masters, Midwest Regional Youth of the Year
2021 Tyler Meeks
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YOUTH OF THE YEAR PROGRAM LAUNCH
The Clubs join the National Youth of the Year program to recognize Club members who promote service to Club, community and family; academic success; strong moral character; life goals; and poise and public speaking ability. Winners include:
2003–2004 Ardale Clark
2005 Audrey Thomas Asiedu
2006 Samantha Gunter Leonfils
2007 Patrice Evans
2008 Bennett Moore
2009 Jamie Harris
2010–2011 Jevaryon Jennings
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TODAY—NEARLY 1,900 YOUTH AND TEENS SERVED EACH YEAR
It takes talented instructors, safe facilities, and community support to create a successful Boys & Girls Club. We are fortunate to have all three. The leadership from our board of directors, the service from our volunteers, the financial support of individual, foundation and business donors, the involvement of parents, and an increasing number of community partners and friends—it all comes together to make it possible to serve hundreds of youth and teen members every day and make Great Futures a reality.
In 2022, the Club evolved the brand to become Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Southwest Michigan after growing with school-based sites in Bridgman, South Haven, River Valley, St. Joseph, and Sturgis.
Youth of the Year Winners:
2022 Donovan Frazier, Midwest Regional Youth of the Year
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TOMORROW—A VISION FOR THE FUTURE
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Southwest Michigan has a vision to become Southwest Michigan Clubs where every member has the knowledge to make healthy choices, graduates from high school with a plan, and has confidence to build their Great Future.
