THE BOYS- AND GIRLS' CLUB OF TOPEKA

THE HISTORY OF THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF TOPEKA DATES TO 1913 AND WAS OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZED AS BOYS CLUB OF TOPEKA IN 1956. IN 1976, TO EXPAND POSITIVE IMPACT ON SCHOOL AGE YOUTH, HONORARY CHAIRS ALFRED LANDON AND CATHERINE MENNINGER LEAD A SUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGN TO FULLY FUND THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 25,000 SQ. FT CLUB ON 9 ACRES OF DONATED PROPERTY IN ONE OF TOPEKA'S MOST ECONOMICALLY DISTRESSED AREAS. IN 1993 MEMBERSHIP WAS EXTENDED TO GIRLS AND THE ORGANIZATION BECAME BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF TOPEKA. TODAY, BGCT SERVES 981 CLUB MEMBERS 5YRS-18 YRS. DAILY. BGCT HAS 14 SITES (INCLUDING A DEDICATED CLUB FOR MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS), REACHING YOUTH AND WORKING FAMILIES WHO NEED US MOST DURING NON-SCHOOL HOURS. CLUB MEMBERSHIP INCLUDES NUTRITIOUS MEALS, A SAFE AND NURTURING ENVIRONMENT, POSITIVE ROLE MODELS, FAMILY SUPPORT, RESOURCES, AND REFERRAL. THE CLUB EXPERIENCE ENGAGES YOUTH IN EXPERIENCES, EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAMS, AND ACTIVITIES CENTERED AROUND 7 CORE AREAS: EDUCATION, ARTS, RECREA