Our Story
The Boys & Girls Club’s journey began humbly, rooted in both vision and determination. What was once a small remodeled gas station on Elm Street became the Club’s first home in 1996—just one year after the organization was founded. From those modest beginnings, the Club quickly grew into a vital resource for children and families throughout the community.
In 2014, the Elm Street facility was demolished as part of a major highway improvement project. Faced with the loss of its home, the Club was met with an extraordinary outpouring of community support. The Jefferson City community rallied together, raising more than $3 million to construct a new, state-of-the-art facility. In a historic partnership, the Lincoln University Board of Curators deeded land on campus for the project—making our Boys & Girls Club the first in the nation to be headquartered on the campus of a Historically Black College and University (HBCU).
In May 2017, the Boys & Girls Club Railton Center proudly opened its doors. Operating year-round, the Club serves over 1,200 children annually. Each day, Club members are welcomed with a healthy after-school snack before transitioning into dedicated homework and reading time. Every child reads for at least 20 minutes daily and has access to homework assistance and tutoring when needed. Following academic time, youth engage in a wide range of enriching programs, including STEM, art, physical fitness, music, dance, and more. Each evening concludes with a hot, nutritious dinner—ensuring our Club kids never go to bed hungry.
As the needs of our community continued to grow, so did the Club’s reach. In fall 2022, the Club expanded to the west side of Jefferson City with the opening of the Sadowski Center, serving more than 130 youth daily.
Building on its strong partnership with Lincoln University, the Club opened the Future Blue Tiger Teen Center on the university’s campus in fall 2024, providing a dedicated space and targeted programming for 60 teens each day.
In fall 2025, the Club reached another major milestone with the opening of the Burcham Youth Center in Holts Summit. This expansion marked the Club’s first facility in that community and its first presence in Callaway County, serving 100 youth daily and extending support to even more families.
Across all sites, the Boys & Girls Club is proud to be a trauma-informed organization. A dedicated team of Social Emotional Learning (SEL) interventionists supports the mental health and behavioral needs of youth, working alongside Club staff to ensure every child feels safe, supported, and valued. This whole-child approach strengthens emotional well-being, builds resilience, and helps young people succeed both inside and outside the Club.
Today, the Boys & Girls Club operates multiple facilities that serve as safe, welcoming spaces where young people can learn, grow, and thrive. Access to the Club remains intentionally affordable—just $25 per semester for low-income families—because financial hardship should never be a barrier for a child who needs care, opportunity, and a brighter future.