About Us
Over 26 Years of Successful Youth Development
From community stabilization to college and career readiness
The Boys & Girls Clubs (BGCDT) is a distinguished non-profit organization in Illinois, dedicated to improving the lives of children and young adults. With a strong commitment to nurturing the potential of every child, BGCDT offers a comprehensive range of programs and services that support the educational, social, and physical development of more than 1,300 Club members annually.
Operating in thirteen (15) Community Schools within District 300, 220, 15 along with a High School – Impact Center, BGCDT provides after-school programming, summer programs, and athletic leagues to youth in Algonquin, Lake in the Hills, Palatine, Carpentersville, Dundee, and Barrington. Our members benefit from a variety of activities, including homework help, tutoring, nutritious meals, and enrichment programs in education and career development, character and leadership, health and life skills, sports, fitness and recreation, and the arts.
As a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, BGCDT is committed to creating a safe, supportive, and engaging environment that inspires children to achieve their full potential.
Our Mission:
BGCDT’s mission is to enable all kids to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible community members.
With over 25 years of impact, BGCDT has emerged as a leading provider of after-school youth programming, empowering young people to thrive and succeed. We are proud to have moved beyond a safe-haven charity to become an active change agent in developing great futures for our youth.
Nourish Character. Inspire Potential
Board of Directors:
22 Active Board Members
5 Emeritus Board Members
Overall Club Units / Locations:
Nine (15) Club locations
Five (6) Cities – Algonquin, Carpentersville, Barrington, Lake in the Hills, Palatine, and Rolling Meadows
Two (3) School Districts – School District 300, Barrington 220, and Palatine District 15
Staffing / Personnel:
Over 35 full-time Staff
Approximately 60 part-time staff and 125–200 volunteers annually
View/Download our:
2018 Annual Report, 2019 Annual Report, 2020 Annual Report, 2021 Annual Report
BGCDT Case for Support
Case for Support
Click Here to read more about our Program Pillars – Community Collaborative Ecosystem – Club to Career Pathway.
Palatine Expansion
Click Here to learn more about our Palatine Case for Support.
Palatine Key Facts
COMING SOON
BGCDT receives funding through the ISBE Nita Lowey 21st Community Centers Learning Centers.
The program’s purpose is to provide opportunities for communities to establish or expand activities in community learning centers that primarily serve students who attend eligible schools with a high concentration of students from low-income families. BGCDT operates this grant with the following schools:
- Algonquin Lakes (D300)
- Eastview (D300)
- Golfview (D300)
- Jane Addams (D15)
- Lakewood (D300)
- Lake in the Hills (D300)
- Meadowdale (D300)
- Parkview (D300)
- Perry (D300)
- Sunny Hill (D220)
- Algonquin Middle School (D300)
- Carpentersville Middle School (D300)
- Winston Campus Jr High (D15)
- Impact Center (D300)
Annually, BGCDT completes a continuation application to continue to provide these essential afterschool programs to youth in our community who need them the most. If you have any questions in regard to the Nita Lowey 21st CCLC grant with BGCDT, please reach out to our Grant Compliance Team: Mike Berger, [email protected] or Coral Colin, [email protected].
Testimonials
“I love working for Club because I can see the impact of what we do when members walk in and out of the club. Being able to change their attitudes, whether they had a good or bad day before they walked through our doors, seeing members leave with even bigger smiles, means a lot to me. When I see the accomplishment of helping our members every day, it brings me happiness.”
Wendy Gonzales
“I value that we get time to do our homework and receive dinner. Club has allowed me to be involved in different programs throughout the year including sports. Club has impacted me in helping me change my behavior and becoming more respectful to others and has also helped me become a better leader.“
Jeremiah
“Club has impacted me a lot. I have had the chance to open up about my life without being judged or laughed at. Club has impacted me to the point where I strongly feel like I have a new family, I can be myself.”
Imani
“Thank you all for everything you have done for our family! We can’t thank you enough! We are truly blessed to have such a wonderful community of such caring people!”
Sarah D
“Going to the Club was a safe haven for me. It provided me with love. Love from others, love for myself, love for the people I would connect with. Club gave me opportunities I never would have had, and given me skills I didn’t know I needed. I always knew I had a team that would always be on my side.”
Karri Haiges
“Being involved with the club has given me a great sense of satisfaction in giving back. I have been blessed in my life and want to help where I can. The community benefits by having youth more involved and developing better citizens. Seeing the young people grow in BGCDT over the years and watching them graduate high school and become very productive adults is what the CLUB is all about!”
Joe Smedinghoff
“The Club helped me create a vision of what I wanted to do in my future. I wanted to become a social worker helping other children who faced the same difficult challenges I faced as a child. As a result, I paid my way through community college, joined the US Army and worked my way through college. I am now living my dream working as a social worker helping children who live in challenging environments.“
Gina Corona
“The Boys & Girls Clubs has become an integral part of our school campus. Over the years, we have developed a true partnership and common vision for our students and the community. It is a pleasure to serve families and reach kids working with a dedicated organization like Club.”
Kristin Sainsbury
“The Boys & Girls Clubs provide after-school activities to their members that support school education, life and career skill development, and athletic activities. Without the Boys & Girls Clubs in our community, our kids would likely not have access to these wonderful opportunities. BGCDT has and continues to provide a valuable resource in the Carpentersville and Dundee communities to help our kids grow and develop into responsible adults.”
Chief Michael J. Kilbourne
Impact & Outcomes
Our Club has been recognized as a leader in providing significant impact and outcomes to the youth we serve.
Club Members who qualify for free school lunch - Annually we serve over 90,000 evening meals.
Believe they will graduate from college or trade school.
Our Impact
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Dundee Township fills the gap between school and home for working families, providing a premier club experience that enables youth to achieve positive outcomes in these areas critical to creating successful features:
Of club members reported making positive, responsible choices
Club members expect to graduate from high school
Club members who consider themselves leaders
Club members have an adult believing in their sucess!
