The Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa (BGCO) has served the Ottawa community since 1923, reaching out to 4,500 children and youth each year through after-school, weekend and summer programs that build self-esteem and help to develop stronger social skills.

BGCO is dedicated to providing a safe, supportive place where children and youth can experience new opportunities, overcome barriers, build positive relationships and develop confidence and skills for life.

After-school and weekend hours are a critical time for youth. That time can represent either an opportunity to learn and grow through quality after-school programs or be a time of risk to youth’s health and safety.

These programs keep kids safe, improve academic achievement and help relieve the stresses on today’s working families. They can serve as important intervention strategies for youth.

The variety and quality of these programs are meant to be engaging, accessible for all, and contribute towards the overall development of good citizens and leaders within the community. Success is achieved through the dedication and commitment of quality staff, community partners and volunteers.

The BGCO operates under four specific pillars of programming: Education; Physical Activity/Healthy Lifestyle; Leadership and Social Skills; and Creative Arts. These pillars are comprehensive and encapsulate the overarching goal of social skills development to build strong and productive community members.

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