"To inspire and enable all young people, especially those from challenging circumstances, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens."

Description:
Since its incorporation in 1937, the Arlington Boys & Girls Club has been providing positive opportunities in a fun, safe and caring environment for youth and their families in the greater Arlington Community. For over 400 daily members from 26 area communities, the Club provides a supervised place during critical non-school hours where they develop friendships and a sense of responsibility for themselves and others.
We work closely with the communities we serve, going to private and public schools, youth centers, parent centers and public housing. For many, including children with disabilities and a large number from broken and disadvantaged homes, the Club serves as a drop in center, or as a "home away from home" which plays a vital role in encouraging them to reach their full potential.

Because the Club serves so many communities, members have the opportunity to play, socialize and learn about themselves and others in a diverse group of people who come from all types of backgrounds. Working together as a team or in a group situation with other teens from different cultures and home environments is an eye opening experience for some of our members.

As a nonprofit institution, the Club is committed to affordable opportunities for enriching constructive activities that many children would not otherwise have. In addition to our youth daily drop-in program, the Club offers a multitude of programs and services to children from toddlers to teenagers. Social and recreational programs, sports leagues and fitness classes, one to one and small group mentoring as well as structured after school care and summer programs are all part of the Club.

History:
The Arlington Boys & Girls Club has been a long evolutionary project dating back officially to 1937.
The Club was first housed in a flat iron building in Arlington Center on Swan Place next to the bike path. It was then moved to the old Arlington Sportsmen's Club building on the shores of Spy Pond. The current facility opened in July, 1962 at the same location.

The biggest change in the Club's history came in the mid 1970’s. The board of directors began considering ways to include girls in more of the Club's programs. The name of the Club was changed to the Arlington Boys & Girls Club in March, 1980. Modifications to the facility were made by private businesses and service club donations along with a grant from the Hayden Foundation.

After the Club was re-designed, adult participation slowly increased. Currently, there are approximately 650 adult members at the Arlington Boys & Girls Club. They enjoy lap swimming, the fitness area, basketball, exercise, and socialization. The Club began the operation of the ABC Preschool in 1981. The preschool serves children between the ages two years nine months through five years eleven months and is licensed by the Office for Children.

In the mid 1980s tot programs for children six months to six years were introduced. These included gym and swim activities involving both parent and child. Tot membership grew as programs were added. This helped create many family activities and special events including Family Play Along nights, seasonal tot parties and family support play groups.

The Club introduced a supervised after school program in 1991. Three years later, the Club took control of the extended kindergarten and after school program at the Thompson School in Arlington. Both programs meet the ever increasing need for quality child care in a safe, clean environment.

Currently, the Arlington Boys & Girls Club has over 6000 registered members aged six months to 90 years old. Members reside in 26 area communities including Medford, Cambridge and Somerville. The Club is open to youth over 7 hours a day, 50 weeks each year for a nominal annual membership fee of $22. Club programs operate in six week cycles in the fall, winter, and spring followed by a 10 to 12 week summer program. Instruction classes, direct and indirect supervised activities are available throughout the year.

Contact people:

Rick Joly, Project Leader, (phone), (email) Dan Brosnan, Executive Director, (phone), (email) Deborah Hayes, Assistant Director, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (781) 648-5064

Address:

60 Pond Lane Arlington, MA 02476 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.abgclub.org

Directions:

Route 2 to Exit 59 (Pleasant Street), Arlington. Approximately 1 mile on right, take Bellington Street. Club is located at the end of Bellington, on Pond Ave.   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: Alewife T Station,   Walk distance (in minutes): 20 minutes   Nearest Bus Stop: Mass Ave/ Arlington Center, 2-3 minutes from bike path minute walk For maps or information, please see http://www.mbta.com/schedmaps/index.cfm