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Our Mission: “To inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens.

With a membership of twelve, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Oklahoma County (BGCOC) was established on July 2, 1995 as a 501 (C) (3) organization to serve Oklahoma County children and youth, ages 6-18. The Clubs served more than 8000 children and youth in 2007. This explosive membership growth continues to spotlight the many still unmet needs in the community. BGCOC is chartered by, and a member club of, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. The Club is led by a local volunteer board of directors, which reflects a high caliber of leadership and community service expertise.

According to a recent community needs assessment, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Oklahoma County serves an inner-city area that is home to more than 32,000 children and youth, a large number of whom spend hours alone or on the streets with little or no adult supervision. This assessment indicated area growth would continue for the foreseeable future. Our membership demographics reflect the great need for our services and programs. Seventy-seven percent of our members are from single parent homes; eighty-eight percent are minority ethnicity.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Oklahoma County organization receives thirteen percent of our funding through United Way. Additional funding comes from board gifts, special events, grants, corporate and individual contributions, foundations and program fees.

Memorial Park Club

36^th & N. Western in Memorial Park

McKinley Park Club

1300 N. McKinley in McKinley Park

Taft Teen Center

Taft Middle School, 23^rd & N. May Avenue.

Programs include instruction in dance, gymnastics, martial arts, choir; planning and working in a community garden; mentoring and tutoring in remedial reading; homework assistance, sports teams; arts & crafts; and, training in computer skills. Go to What We Offer for additional programs.

The quality of these programs reflects the commitment level of our staff and volunteers. These young people look to the caring adults at the BGCOC to provide leadership and supervised study and recreation. We strive to continue and expand programs such as Street Smart, which provides our members with the tools and guidance necessary to withstand the pressures of gangs and the knowledge to recognize and avoid violence and abuse.

Through collaboration with the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma Kids Café program members are served a hot meal every afternoon during the school year. Many times this is the only hot meal some of the members receive. During school breaks the members are served breakfast, lunch and an evening meal. In 2004 we served our members and other children and youth in our service areas over 84,000 meals.

For over eight years, the Junior League of Oklahoma City has partially funded and staffed an arts and crafts program. In 2003 they funded and facilitated a literacy program to help our members achieve grade level proficiency in reading. These are continuing programs.

BGCOC programs offer an opportunity to enhance the self-esteem of every girl and boy by creating an environment that encourages achievement of full potential. BGCOC wants every child to grow more confident and ready to make positive choices in their lives and to realize that they are competent and useful, that they belong and have influence.

The Boys and Girls Club of Oklahoma County invites you to schedule an onsite visit to see the difference we can make in the lives of Oklahoma County children. We encourage you to join us in the challenge of continuing to insure that Oklahoma County’s future remains bright, one child at a time.