Our History

The Boys & Girls Club of Ottawa County was founded to meet a simple but powerful need: to ensure that every young person in our community — especially those who need us most — has access to a safe place, caring mentors, and opportunities to grow.

What began as a single Club location has grown into a county-wide network of youth development programs serving children and teens across Ottawa County. Over the years, we have expanded in response to the evolving needs of families — increasing access to afterschool care, teen programming, academic support, healthy meals, and prevention-focused initiatives.

Today, the Boys & Girls Club of Ottawa County serves thousands of young people each year, providing them with not just a place to go after school, but a place to belong. Through strong partnerships with schools, tribes, local governments, and community supporters, we continue to grow our impact and ensure that every child has the chance to reach their full potential.

HIGHLIGHTS

1997 — The Boys & Girls Club of Ottawa County began serving youth in the Miami community, establishing its first Club site and laying the foundation for long-term youth development in the county.
2000s — Programs expanded to focus not only on afterschool care, but also on academic success, healthy lifestyles, and character development through evidence-based curriculum and enrichment activities.
2021 — The Miami Teen Center opened, creating a dedicated, safe space for adolescents and responding to a growing need for teen-specific programming and support following the pandemic.
2024 — The Fairland Boys & Girls Club opened in a newly renovated space, expanding access for families in the northern part of Ottawa County.
2025 — The Afton Unit opened, further extending services and ensuring more rural communities have access to high-quality afterschool and summer programming.
Today — The Boys & Girls Club of Ottawa County operates multiple Club locations and serves the largest number of youth in the county year-round — including being the largest provider of youth development services to Native youth in Ottawa County.
Each year, the Club serves thousands of meals, provides hundreds of hours of programming, and partners with schools, tribes, nonprofits, and businesses to strengthen families and communities across the county.
The organization continues to grow through strategic investments in facilities, staff, and programs — always guided by our mission to enable all young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.