Who We Are
History of the Club
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From its very beginning the Niagara Falls Rotary Club has been interested in boys and boys work. When the State of New York provided that crippled children should be cared for by the County and the Children's Court during the late 1920's, the club was able to put greater emphasis on work with, and for, boys.
Children's Court Judge William A. Gold of Lockport told those attending a Community Chest dinner that a boys' club was needed. Perennial Boys Work Chairman, Charles Woodward Sr., Henry A. Welch, and the Council of Social Agencies asked the then Boys Club Federation of America to make a scientific survey to determine the need for a boys club. The Boys' Club Federation Field Representative, Roy A. Gilson, spent the summer of 1931 making this survey using the 1930 census figures. This study pointed out the need for a boys club with adequate facilities for 3,000 boys in the vicinity of East Falls Street and Portage Road. It further recommended that should this project prove to be successful, consideration be given to the establishment of branch clubs in the north end and in the LaSalle area if the latter section continue to grow. The first Board of Managers consisted of 6 Rotary past presidents and an east side resident appointed by Mayor Draper. The original Boys' Club Board consisted of Dr. Hector R. Carveth, President; Charles Woodward Sr., Vice President; Lyndon H. Strough, Secretary; Walter Wallace, Treasurer; Ernest Kremers, D. Windsor Jones and John J. LaBuda, Sr. with Paul Brallier, who succeeded Lyndon Strough as President of Rotary in July of 1936, ex officio. The club officially opened with a Rotary luncheon meeting on May 18, 1936. Rotary President Lyndon H. Strough presented the new officers, and Doctor Carveth introduced the first Executive Director: Floyd S. Field. Once opened, the Boys Club received 478 members in the first month and a total of 800 were registered the first year. Over the years membership continued to grow and the Club saw huge success in working with a diverse population of young people. In 1984, due to an increasing number of girls participating in Boys' Club programs, the Board of Directors voted to rename the Boys' Club to the Niagara Falls Boys' & Girls' Club Inc. The Niagara Falls Boys & Girls Club will continue to be a catalyst of all facets of community needs and will continue to produce our leaders of tomorrow. |
Our Mission Statement
Our mission is to provide appropriate & diversified programs & activities that serve to attract & hold area youth to the Clubhouse. We provide an environment that teaches children the skills needed to build positive lives, attitudes & behaviors.
Our core purpose is to enable all young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Through the work we are doing to enhance our program design we hope to see major accomplishments in our members achieving:
Our core purpose is to enable all young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Through the work we are doing to enhance our program design we hope to see major accomplishments in our members achieving:
- High School Graduation
- On Time Grade Progression
- Learn About Career Options
- Embrace Healthy Lifestyles