Since 1944, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida has been serving the children who need us the most. From our humble roots as the Orlando Boys Club, operating out of a ‘Quonset hut’ in Pine Hills, to our current status as the leading provider of quality after school care for at-risk youth, Boys & Girls Clubs has bridged the opportunity gap for generations of Central Florida children.
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1944
Orlando Boys Club Begins
Former Brooklyn Dodger Joe Stripp, one of the last “Spitballers” in the Major League, founded the Boys Club of Orlando to “provide healthful recreation for underprivileged boys.” The Club met in the old Davis Armory in Parramore, which still stands today across the street from our current Levy-Hughes Clubhouse. -
1973
Growth & Expansion
The Southwest Branch opens its doors at 5055 W. Raleigh Street. The organization’s name changes again to the Boys Clubs of Central Florida to reflect a planned expansion into Osceola and Seminole Counties. -
1988
Organization adds “Girls” to its Name
Although females had been members for more than 10 years, in 1988, the organization became Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida – adding “Girls” to our name two years before the Boys Clubs of America did! -
1993
Downtown Branch
This Club, located on the campus of the Coalition for the Homeless, was the first in the nation specifically founded to serve homeless youth. -
1994
Gary Cain becomes CEO
Gary Cain joined the organization as CEO. In 2019, our 75th anniversary year, Gary celebrates his 25th with BGCCF, making him the organization’s longest-serving president. A former Club member himself, Gary served Boys & Girls Clubs his entire career of over 42 years, before retiring in 2023. -
2013
Syd Levy
Orlando businessman and philanthropist Syd Levy provided the funding for two of BGCCF’s most important landmarks: the Syd & Marianne Levy Service Center (dedicated 2013) and the Levy-Hughes Club in Parramore (opened 2017), our largest Club. We mourned Syd’s passing in January, 2018. -
2019
BGCCF Celebrates 75th Anniversary
Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida celebrates 75 years of serving our community’s children! Read More >> -
2021
BGCCF Opens Bradley-Otis Family Branch
“A Club like no other” opened in Orlando’s West Lakes community. The Jacqueline Bradley & Clarence Otis Family Branch boasts 30,000 square feet of state-of-the-art programming space, with separate floors for children and teens. -
2023
Congrats, Gary! Welcome, Jamie!
Gary Cain is named Central Floridian of the Year by the Orlando Sentinel, and is presented with the Thomas G. Garth Character and Courage Award. Jamie Merrill succeeds Gary Cain as President & CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida.