Who We Are

Our Mission

To enable all young people, especially those who need us the most, to reach their full potential as productive, responsible, caring citizens.

Our Vision

We are committed to providing a world-class Club Experience that assures success is within reach for every young person who enters our doors, with all members on track to graduate from high school with a plan for the future, demonstrating good character and citizenship, and living a healthy lifestyle.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

Boys & Girls Clubs of America supports all youth and teens – of every race, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, ability, socio-economic status, and religion – in reaching their full potential.

The Need

Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay serves more than 22,000 youth in Hillsborough and Pasco Counties annually at our 22 Clubs. Our staff diligently work with our kids who fall into the Learning Gap due to the disparity in academic performance creating an Opportunity Gap which is dependent on race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and other factors that contribute to academic limitations.

Our Three Pillars

Explore innovative programs designed to empower youth to excel in school, become good citizens and lead healthy, productive lives.

Character & Leadership

Health & Wellness

Academic Successes

I love Boys & Girls Clubs because I have friends here and I like all the coaches here. We play games and talk, it makes me happy because it feels like home. I like all of the coaches because they’re fun and nice.

I love Boys & Girls Clubs because I get bored at home but here I can play sports with my friends. All the staff are nice and help us do fun projects that teach me a lot.

I like bringing my toys to share and play with my friends. I like when we study reading, math, and science. It makes me feel good to know the coaches are here for me.

My favorite part of Boys & Girls Clubs is there’s so many helpful Coaches and we have the nicest director in the entire world. I love how every Coach and helper enjoy helping kids get their stuff together and have a fun time here. Even when we get in trouble, we learn a lesson. I love that we get to watch movies and have snack everyday.

92%

qualify for reduced lunch

100%

graduation rate

74%

live at or below the federal poverty level

550K

meals served in 2020 in partnership with Feeding Tampa Bay

99%

youth no involvement with DJJ

Population We Serve

50/50

boys and girls served

40%

Hispanic

33%

Black

17%

White

10%

Other

Leadership Team

Terry Carter

Chief Executive Officer

tcarter@bgctampa.org

DJ Gothe

Chief Financial Officer

dgothe@bgctampa.org

Mary Dillon

Vice President of Youth Development

mdillon@bgctampa.org

Elisa Jackson

Chief Development Officer

ejackson@bgctampa.org

Keith Harris

Vice President of Operations

kharris@bgctampa.org

History of Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay

Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay has been a strong thread in the fabric of the Tampa Bay community for more than 90 years. In 1926, the Tampa Rotary Club established the first Club, – the West Tampa Boys Club. After successfully financing and operating the Club for almost 20 years, the Rotarians recognized a need for expansion and thus began the growth of an organization dedicated to serving young men and women.

1926

Tampa Rotary establishes the West Tampa Boys Club

1947

Ybor City Boys Club opens doors in Cuscaden Park.

1950

The Optimist Club of West Tampa continues commitment through construction of the Interbay Boys Club

1951

George Guida and the Optimist Club of West Tampa begin construction to replace the the original West Tampa Boys Club

1957

The Boys Club of Tampa became an official partner of the United Way

1980

Ybor City Boys Club renamed the Jose Llaneza Branch.

1980

The Dover Boys Club opens its doors thanks to partnership with Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation

1981

Pilot program at the Interbay Boys Club includes service to girls.

1982

The Boys Club of Tampa changes their name to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tampa

1983

The North Tampa Boys & Girls Club opens its doors at Rowlette Park. The Zonta Club opens its doors in Lowry Park, thanks to efforts from the Zonta Women’s Club

1985

The West Tampa Club is renamed the George M. Steinbrenner Family West Tampa Boys & Girls Club

1989

Partnership with Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation continues with the opening of the Town n Country Club

1989

The NationsBank Robles Park Boys & Girls Club also opens its doors. Through a joint effort with the City of Plant City, the Plant City Boys & Girls Club begins serving youth

1990

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tampa changes its name to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay to reflect expansion. The Rembrandt Boys & Girls Club opens its doors with the support of the Hillsborough County Children’s Board

1991

The Ponce DeLeon Boys & Girls Club opens its doors in partnership with the Hillsborough County Children’s Board, Tampa Housing Authority and the United Way

1997

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay merges with Girls, Inc

2002

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay merges with Boys & Girls Clubs of Pasco County

2012

Boys & Girls Clubs of America changes its tagline after 17 years from “A Positive Place for Kids” to “Great Futures Start Here”

2013

The first Hillsborough County Sherriff partner site opens known as the Freddie Solomon Boys & Girls Club

2018

The Jeff & Penny Vinik Family Boys & Girls Club at Winston Park opens as the fourth Hillsborough County Sherriff partner site

2020

The Wimauma Boys & Girls Club at Bethune Park reopens in August of 2020 after undergoing a $1.8 million renovation

2026

We celebrate 100 years at Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay!

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