BGC Canada (Boys & Girls Clubs of Canada) is a national, nonprofit organization that supports local Boys and Girls Clubs with programs for physical activity, healthy living, learning, job training, leadership, and creative expression. With locations in small towns and large cities, as well as rural and Indigenous communities, Boys and Girls Clubs provide services to young people during critical out-of-school hours.
History
In 1900, a group of concerned local citizens in
Saint John, New Brunswick
Saint John is a seaport city of the Atlantic Ocean located on the Bay of Fundy in the province of New Brunswick, Canada. Saint John is the oldest incorporated city in Canada, established by royal charter on May 18, 1785, during the reign of Ki ...
set up a "public playground movement" to provide a safe place for children to play, in particular boys from disadvantaged circumstances who had no place to go after school. Originally established as the "Every Day Club," it was later named The East End Boys Club of Saint John, the first "Boys Club" in Canada.
In 1929, the Boys’ Club Federation of Canada was officially established by Vernon McAdam, the first National Executive Director. In 1947, the organization was renamed Boys’ Clubs of Canada, and a year later was recognized by
Parliament of Canada
The Parliament of Canada (french: Parlement du Canada) is the federal legislature of Canada, seated at Parliament Hill in Ottawa, and is composed of three parts: the King, the Senate, and the House of Commons. By constitutional convention, the ...
as a national, nonprofit organization. In 1974, to reflect the growing number of young girls participating in Club programs, the organization changed its name to "Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada."
During the
COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The novel virus was first identif ...
, BGC Canada received a $500,000 grant from the
Public Health Agency of Canada
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC; french: Agence de la santé publique du Canada, ASPC) is an agency of the Government of Canada that is responsible for public health, emergency preparedness and response, and infectious and chronic diseas ...
's Immunization Partnership Fund to combat
vaccine hesitancy
Vaccine hesitancy is a delay in acceptance, or refusal, of vaccines despite the availability of vaccine services and supporting evidence. The term covers refusals to vaccinate, delaying vaccines, accepting vaccines but remaining uncertain abou ...
and promote
COVID-19 vaccine
A COVID19 vaccine is a vaccine intended to provide acquired immunity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV‑2), the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 ( COVID19).
Prior to the COVID19 pandemic, an e ...
uptake in families and youth accessing BGC programs.
Size and reach
As of 2019, BGC Canada serves 200,000 children and youth at 700 service locations across the country. The Clubs employ 6,720 staff members and have 18,200 volunteers. In 2018, BGC Canada offered 26 national programs, facilitated $182,270 in scholarships, and allocated $6.2 million in grants to Clubs. Since 1900, Boys and Girls Clubs have helped over 3 million young Canadians.
Board of Directors
The voluntary Board of Directors provides national leadership, making policy directions and decisions and assigning responsibilities for implementation and management to the President & CEO.
2019 National Board
Officers
* Felix Wu, Chair
*Thomas Clift, Vice-Chair
*David Mather, Treasurer / BGCC Foundation Chair
*Holly Toupin, Secretary
Directors
*Becky Penrice
*Michelle Banik
*Gordon Floyd
*Nicole Galarneau
*Sarah Midanik
*Rachel Barry
*Shawn Cornett
*Bob Harriman
*Trevor Daroux
*Davinder Valeri
See also
*
Boys & Girls Clubs of America
Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) is a national organization of local chapters which provide voluntary after-school programs for young people. The organization, which holds a congressional charter under Title 36 of the United States Code, ...
References
External links
Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada National Website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada
Youth organizations based in Canada
Organizations established in 1900
Organizations based in Toronto
Youth organizations established in the 1900s