Clark Street
The Boys Club of St. Charles County opened on December 12, 1955 at its original location on Clark Street.
Local citizens fixed up an old house as a safe place for young men to gather. The Club wanted to help one youth, one life, at a time.
It was not long before the community saw their efforts in reducing juvenile delinquency in the area. Volunteer-led football, basketball, and baseball teams were organized with the help of the first Executive Director, Joe Dulin. The boys also worked on arts and crafts, woodworking, storytelling, music, and a newspaper.
Membership soon exceeded capacity of the old house. The community was very pleased with the growth of the Club. In March 1960, a “kick off” dinner was held to raise funds for a new Club. Volunteers began building soon after. Area carpenters, electricians, masons, and many others worked on evenings and weekends to make the new Club a reality. Local businesses and friends donated most of the construction materials.
Olive Street
Membership Growth Leads to New Unit
On December 16, 1962, the community dedicated the new building. Membership and programs were able to grow at a much faster rate. This building was home to BGCSTC for over 50 years.
Expanding West
O'Fallon Unit Opens
As the population in St. Charles County continued to grow, especially in the western region, the Board of Directors championed an additional Club site.
In 1990, the Board of Directors voted to build a second unit to reach the youth living in the St. Peters/O’Fallon area. The community rallied and despite delays related to the flood in 1993, the O’Fallon Unit opened its doors in 1994.
Lindenwood Avenue
Membership Growth Leads to New Expanded Unit
On June 9, 2014, the St. Charles Unit moved from its deteriorating Olive Street location to its current expanded facility. The St. Charles Unit is 28,000 square feet with two large gymnasiums.
Today, under the leadership of CEO, Karen Englert, BGCSTC operates two stand-alone facilities and is exploring community and school-based sites for the near future.
Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Charles County has played an integral part in the community for the past 65 years, providing hope and opportunity to our youth.
"To provide a safe space for kids to go after school for four generations of children is an incredible achievement and honor," says Englert.
Addition of School-Based Services
First School-Based Unit Opens in 2022
In partnership with the Wright City R-II School District, Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Charles County launched an after-school program at West Elementary to directly serve more students at East and West Elementary. This is the Club's first school-based unit, allowing students to easily transition from school to a safe, fun after-school program.
The school-based unit expansion has been a part of BGCSTC’s strategic vision for some time. Club CEO, Karen Englert said, “I truly believe that a Club presence can and will change the trajectory of people's lives. Transportation is a barrier to service. We have eliminated that. Cost is a barrier to service. We have eliminated that."
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