Newsroom Archive
For press inquiries, contact Dani Moritz, Vice President of Marketing & Community Relations, at dmoritz@bgccf.org. For our latest news and press releases, please click here >>
2020 News & Press Releases
Renewed Grant for BGCCF from Balda Family Foundation
Press Release
Date: October 23, 2020
Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida recently received a grant from Balda Family Foundation to benefit College & Career Readiness at Brevard County Boys & Girls Clubs.
BGCCF prepares to reopen for after-school programs
By: Fox 35 Orlando
Date: August 6, 2020
Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida is spending this week preparing its facilities so Clubs can safely bring students in next week. FOX 35 visited the Levy-Hughes Boys Clubhouse.
Central Florida Summer Camps Adapt to Coronavirus
By: Spectrum News 13
Date: July 1, 2020
Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida (BGCCF) normally has 2,000 kids enrolled in summer camps. This year, that number is around 800, according to a spokesperson.
Boys & Girls Clubs of America hosts senior send-off in Orlando
By: WESH 2 News
Date: June 18, 2020
Boys & Girls Clubs of America is hosting a senior send-off on Friday for its 2020 high school graduates. The event is happening in Parramore and intentionally coincides with Juneteenth.
Boys and Girls Club reopens with new protections, safety protocols
By: Wesh 2 News
Date: June 16, 2020
After weeks away, the Joe R. Lee Boys & Girls Club in Eatonville reopened and a summer’s worth of education resumed. New protocols include temperature screenings and face masks.
Children of first responders invited to Boys & Girls Clubs
By: News 6
Date: May 19, 2020
Do your part: Boys & Girls Clubs in Kissimmee is opening its doors to children of first responders, giving everyday heroes in health care a little peace of mind.
Central Florida teen named Boys and Girls Club youth of the year
By: News 6
Date: May 13, 2020
Jolana Mitchell was awarded the honor of being named Boys & Girls Clubs’ Youth of the Year. At 18-years-old, she’s come a long way from when she first joined the Club seven years ago.
Some of the Poorest Brevard Students Go Hungry amid COVID-19
By: Florida Today
Date: May 8, 2020
We’re so very proud of Erin Harvey and our team in Brevard County, who are truly doing whatever it takes to help our neediest Club families during the pandemic.
Boys & Girls Clubs Worry About At-Risk Kids During Pandemic
By: Spectrum News 13
Date: May 7, 2020
“Are they lacking supplies? Is their electricity going to be shut off? What are their needs? So we’re really checking on all bases to see where they’re at.” (Jose Bastias, BGCCF)
Boys & Girls Clubs Takes the Fun, Education Online
By: Orange Observer
Date: May 6, 2020
When the organization’s physical facilities were closed March 17, leaders knew something had to be done — quickly. Six days later, the organization launched its Cyber Clubhouse.
Serving Club Members Daily through BGCCF’s Cyber Clubhouse
By: Wesh 2 News
Date: April 27, 2020
While BGCCF’s iconic Blue Doors are closed, the organization continues to serve its Club members with a variety of different programming through their Cyber Clubhouse.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida opens Cyber Clubhouse
Press Release
Date: March 26, 2020
With its iconic Blue Doors closed during the COVID-19 crisis, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida (BGCCF) is moving online to continue to serve its 16,000 Club members at home.
Boys & Girls Club, Central Florida’s Largest, Breaks Ground
By: Orlando Sentinel
Date: February 10, 2020
In a field a half-mile from Camping World Stadium, community leaders broke ground Monday on what will be the largest Boys & Girls Club in Central Florida.
Orlando Breaks Ground on Largest Boys & Girls Club in Central Florida
By: Click Orlando
Date: February 10, 2020
Local leaders, business partners and community members broke ground on what will become the largest Boys & Girls Club in Central Florida. The Club will serve more than 250 children daily.
2019 News & Press Releases
Historic Cater House — Future Home of New Boys & Girls Club
Press Release
Date: December 13, 2019
The new Club will be housed in the Historic Carter House (1915), located at 126 Grannis Avenue South, which is being completely restored by North Brevard Charities.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida Receives $200,000 Capital Gift
Press Release
Date: July 26, 2019
BGCCF received a $200,000 gift from the Kiwanis Club of Orlando Foundation toward the construction of the Jacqueline Bradley and Clarence Otis Family Branch in Orlando.
Never too young to help: Orlando teen receives $15,000 for homeless charity
By: Orlando Sentinel
Date: July 11, 2019
The Oak Ridge High School student, her grandmother and some faithful fellow members of the Taft Branch help run Serenity’s Grace, the charity the girl launched when she was 7.
Making an Impact & Changing Lives in Eatonville
By: Winter Park Magazine
Date: July/August 2019
Greg Dawson wrote a well-researched feature on BGCCF’s history in Eatonville, and the deeply-entrenched corporate partnerships that continue to change lives at our Joe R. Lee Club.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida: Cause for Celebration!
By: Orange Appeal Magazine
Date: July/August 2019
We visited the Levy-Hughes Clubhouse in Parramore to see the programs in session, meet the kids, and get to know more about the people who make it all possible.
Orlando Ballet and BGCCF Aspire to Ignite Young Imaginations
By: Orlando Arts Magazine
Date: July/August 2019
“We have a lot of very talented children,” says Gary Cain, President and CEO of BGCCF. “But their talent may go undiscovered if they never get that exposure to the arts.”
Chief Rolón Talks about His Experiences with Boys & Girls Clubs
By: BGCCF
Date: June 30, 2019
This is the third of four videos produced in our 75th anniversary series. In it, the Orlando Police Chief tells how Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida changed the trajectory of his life.
Camp at Eatonville Boys & Girls Club All about Keeping Summer Fun Safe
By: WESH 2 News
Date: June 11, 2019
It’s all about keeping summer fun safe at the Eatonville Boys & Girls Club this week. The Zac Foundation’s water safety camp is in town teaching kids how to swim for free.
Annual Tampa Bay International Dragon Boat Festival
By: FOX 13 News
Date: April 27, 2019
For some athletes, the event is about more. The Dueling Dragons from Orlando were on the water rowing for change in an attempt to bridge the gap as cops and kids sat side by side.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida Expanding
By: FOX 35 Orlando
Date: April 18, 2019
The organization broke ground on a new part of the Joe R. Lee Branch, to double its overall capacity. The expansion will help them serve up to 250 children every day.
Former Carter House in Titusville to Become Boys and Girls Club
By: Spectrum News 13
Date: April 12, 2019
A house built in 1915 is getting restored to become Titusville’s newest Boys and Girls Club. It may not look like much now, but with a lot of TLC the house will be restored.
Boys & Girls Clubs Receives $1.5 Million Capital Gift
Press Release
Date: April 1, 2019
BGCCF received $1.5 million from The Darden Restaurants, Inc. Foundation toward the Jacqueline Bradley and Clarence Otis Family Branch and the Joe R. Lee Branch expansion.
2019 BGCCF Youth of the Year Announced
Press Release
Date: February 22, 2019
Abigaelle Caillot, an 18-year-old Senior at Dr. Phillips High School in Orlando, has been named Boys & Girls Clubs’ 2019 Kiwanis Club of Orlando Foundation Youth of the Year.
Boys & Girls Clubs Awarded Grant for Arts Funding
Press Release
Date: February 22, 2019
BGCA, with funding from The Wallace Foundation, developed and implemented the Youth Arts Initiative, which offers high-quality arts skill-development classes to tweens.
At 75, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida has long reach
By: Orlando Sentinel
Date: February 19, 2019
What do Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, Orlando Police Chief Orlando Rolón, hotelier Harris Rosen, Shaquille O’Neal and TV news anchor Lisa Bell and have in common?
Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida names 2019 Youth of the Year
By: News 6
Date: February 15, 2019
Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida named a new Youth of the Year, Abigaelle Caillot. Watch the News 6 coverage to learn more about Abigaelle’s story!
Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida celebrates 75th Anniversary
By: OCFL News
Date: February 11, 2019
Mayor Demings and honored guests came together to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida at the Orlando Museum of Art.
2018 News & Press Releases
Lifting kids from poverty’s grasp: Whose life can you change?
By: Orlando Sentinel
Date: October 3, 2018
Interstate highways and industrial areas may separate us from low-opportunity neighborhoods, but our futures are more tied than we realize.
Boys & Girls Clubs Wins SunTrust Lighting the Way Award
Press Release
Date: October 18, 2018
Recognized for its philanthropic contributions to the region’s at-risk youth, BGCCF was awarded a 2018 Lighting the Way Award and $75,000 grant by the SunTrust Foundation.
Orlando teen awarded $100K scholarship from Beyoncé, Jay-Z
By: WESH 2 News
Date: August 30, 2018
A Central Florida student got a surprise of a lifetime during Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s OTR II tour. Keshawn Morgan was awarded the scholarship during the couple’s stop in Orlando.
Evans student receives $100K for college tuition from Beyonce, Jay-Z
By: Orlando Sentinel
Date: August 29, 2018
When DJ Khaled told the audience he had a surprise $100,000 college scholarship to announce, the 17-year-old didn’t think much about it at all.
SteveO Michel returns to troubled Orlando neighborhood to give back.
By: Orlando Sentinel
Date: August 21, 2018
SteveO Michel made it out of his home in the Tymber Skan community, in an area troubled by high gun violence and frequent drug deals. He got out of his old life. Then, he came back.
Olympic Gold Medalist teaches kids how to swim and about water safety
By: WESH 2 News
Date: August 14, 2018
Olympic Gold Medalist Rowdy Gaines joins forces with The Zac Foundation to teach Club members how to swim and to educate them about water safety.
BGCCF Receives $5,000 Grant from Balda Family Foundation
Press Release
Date: July 27, 2018
BGCCF recently received a $5,000 grant from Balda Family Foundation to benefit the Education & Career Development core programs at the Temple Terrace Branch.
Mack Reid Receives MERIT AWARD-Soccer for Success
Press Release
Date: May 14, 2018
Mack Reid, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida’s Chief Operating Officer, receives the prestigious Merit Award for Program Excellence in Sports, Recreation & Fitness from BGCA.
BGCCF growing bumper crop of first-generation college students
By: Orlando Sentinel
Date: May 8, 2018
Irene won’t just be the first in her family to go to college. After moving an average of twice a year and living two years in a motel, she’ll be the first to have graduated high school.
2018 BGCCF Youth of the Year Announced
Press Release
Date: April 13, 2018
Ja’Keevious, a 17-year-old Senior at Edgewater High School in Orlando and JRL Branch member, has been named 2018 Kiwanis Club of Orlando Foundation Youth of the Year.
Orlando Pride Soccer Stars Read Books to Kids at BGCCF
By: Orlando Sentinel
Date: March 29, 2018
Orlando Pride soccer players Alex Morgan, Toni Pressley and Ali Krieger read books to kids at the Boys & Girls Club on Raleigh Street in Orlando on Thursday, March 29, 2018.
BGCCF role model Ja’Keevious Mack tells kids: ‘You can achieve anything.’
By: WESH 2 News
Date: February 23, 2018
Ja’Keevious Mack is Central Florida’s Boys & Girls Clubs “Youth of the Year.” He learned the honor through the chants of dozens of kids as he walked into the Eatonville branch.
Syd Levy, businessman who built Flea World and United Trophy, dies at 88
By: Orlando Sentinel
Date: January 31, 2018
The Orlando philanthropist and businessman had a different tourist attraction in mind 35 years ago for an old orange grove he purchased on the outskirts of Sanford.
F is for Florida, written by Boys & Girls Clubs kids for kids
By: WKMG-TV
Date: January 10, 2018
Our Brevard Club members wrote a book highlighting the state’s beauty, and it got published! The members even were invited to Barnes and Noble for a book signing.