Dayton Boys Club
In the mid-1920's the Dayton Council of the Knights of Columbus began work to establish a Boys & Girls Recreation Center. The venture proved to be impractical to the Board of Trustees after reviewing results of a Boys Club of America survey.
On January 9, 1930 the Dayton Council of the Knights of Columbus established a Boys Club at 15 Marshall Street (now Gates Street). At that time, membership was 700 and grew slowly, but by 1953 it had doubled and it became obvious that a new building would be needed. After three years of raising funds and building, the Dayton Boys Club East at 601 South Keowee Street was open in the fall of 1956. The East Dayton Club closed in 2002 and is currently home to the New Choices Charter School.
On October 5, 1962 the Dayton Boys Club West opened in the Community Service Building in the Desoto Bass Courts with 175 members. The current West Club facility at 1828 West Stewart Street opened in April 1968. Since programs for girls in the areas served by the Dayton Boys Club were limited and since the Dayton Boys Club Board of Directors, Parents and Professional Staff felt the necessity to expand its services to meet the needs of the girls in the communities served, a Girls Program was established at the East and West Dayton Boys Clubs during the summer of 1970. The Clubs became the Dayton Boys & Girls Clubs in 1987.
The Board of Directors voted to incorporate the Club in 2005 and the name was changed to the Boys & Girls Club of Dayton, Inc. Under the direction of Natasha R. Spears, Chief Professional Officer, The Boys & Girls Club offers programs in the Boys & Girls Club of America's core competencies: Character & Leadership; Education & Careers; Health & Life Skills; the Arts; and, Sports, Fitness & Recreation. |
