History
Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence was founded in 1891 to provide local children with opportunities to foster their physical, emotional, intellectual, and social growth. With recreation as a base, programs are offered to help kids develop to their full potential, with the guidance of positive adult role models.
The original Lawrence Boys Club, located on 224 Broadway Street, opened in March 1891.
In 1918, Boys Club moved to a 21,000-square-foot facility on Haverhill Street in Lawrence.
In 1963, the club built a new facility on Water Street in Lawrence. In 1990, Boys Club became Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence and began serving girls as full and equal members. That same year, the Beacon Club opened in the Beacon Projects in South Lawrence.
Since 1991, four Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence members have been recognized by the President of the United States in the Oval Office as part of Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Youth of the Year competition.
In 2007, Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence built a 58,000-square-foot, state-of-the art facility on the same site on Water Street. Once that building was complete, the former club was torn down.
Alumni
Reconnect with us!
Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence Alumni Association is a group of alumni who value the Club’s importance in the community and are committed to the continuous development and improvement of its services to the youth of Lawrence. The Alumni Association has three goals:
Stay Connected
The Alumni Association helps alumni remain connected to the Club beyond their membership years. Alumni are encouraged to visit the Club when possible.
Financial Support
The Alumni Association seeks to provide financial support to Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence.
Volunteer and Mentoring Support
Alumni have diverse backgrounds and skills which can provide great support to the Club staff. Alumni can also volunteer during special events designed to raise funds for the Club.
To join the Alumni Association, contact Billy Robertson at brobertson@lawrencebgc.com.
The BGCL lists two National Youth of the Year and three first runner-up National Youth of the Year among its alumni – the only club in the United States with more than one finalist for that honor.