About Us
Mission
Our mission is to empower all youth, especially those who need us most, to grow to their full potential to be responsible, caring, and productive citizens.
The Boys & Girls Club of Morgan County is a guidance organization for all area youth, grades Kindergarten through 12th. Through club programming and mentoring, led by caring adults and young-adult staff, youth learn skills and experience success in academic performance, the practice of positive character & leadership, and in making appropriate choices for sustainable healthy lifestyles. Boys & Girls Club alumni credit the clubs with saving lives and providing hope & opportunity for the kids who are most in need.
For an annual membership dues of only $20 per year, a child can attend the club after school and during school breaks, Monday through Friday. The actual cost of a club membership is roughly $1,149 annually per child. Donations help fill the gap and allow more kids to benefit from club services.
At the club, youth engage with mentors for coaching on positive decision making and participate in activities such as sports, science, technology, arts, tutoring, and volunteerism. A healthy snack is provided daily. Youth attend the Boys & Girls Club to reach their full potential to become caring, productive, responsible members of society.
Our Board of Directors
Our Staff
Our History
The Boys & Girls Club of Morgan County was founded in 2006. A Founders Meeting was held at Bradford Woods Outdoor Center. Local business leaders, community leaders, and families gathered to establish a county-wide Boys and Girls Club to provide a solution for the growing need for youth development programming in Morgan County. Coach Tony Dungy was a guest of honor at the event and helped us raise over $50,000 that evening to start the club. From 2006 to 2008 The Boys and Girls Club operated clubhouses in Martinsville and Mooresville, providing after school and summer programming for local youth, ages 5 to 18 years.
In 2007 the first Boys & Girls Club of Morgan County Celebrity Golf Outing was held. Volunteers and board members planned and implemented this event and raised $7,000. The Celebrity Golf Outing is the Club’s signature event and major annual fundraiser.
In 2008, the recession in the U.S. caused local donations to dramatically decline affecting many not-for-profit organizations. The Boys & Girls Club of Morgan County suspended operations for a short time to secure sustainable funding.
In 2009, the Club re-opened with a new clubhouse in Mooresville at Pioneer Point.
In 2010, the Club participated in a two year grant program from the Lilly Foundation to strengthen its Board Development processes.
In 2011 the club earned the Gold Award from the Boys & Girls Clubs of America for excellent growth in service. The number of youths enrolled in membership grew by 150%. This trajectory continued in 2013 and 2014, earning Silver Awards from BGCA.
In 2011, SERVPRO of Morgan County became the Title Sponsor of the Celebrity Golf Outing, which raised $25,000 to provide club programs and services for local kids, who need us most.
In 2014, the club opened a second location at Newby Memorial Elementary School, through a four-year grant from the Indiana Department of Education – 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant. With two clubhouses in Mooresville, the club serves 90 youth per day after school and 50 youth before school at Newby.
In 2016, the 8th Annual SERVPRO Celebrity Golf Outing raised $40,000 for club services. More than 300 local youth are served in 2016. New community outreach events, Santa for Girls & Boys and A Club Thanksgiving were originated.
In 2017, the club lowered the cost of an annual membership to $20 per year per child, $10 per year for siblings and added 158 hours of services by extending daily hours of operation during school breaks. On July 14,2017, the Annual Golf Outing raised $47,500 for the Boys & Girls Club of Morgan County. The club focuses on growing local donations and volunteers to strengthen organization sustainability. With a goal to secure 50% of annual revenue locally, the club engages more than 70 local businesses in giving and volunteerism.
2018 was a defining year for the BGCMC. The Club’s board voted to adopt the “Great Futures Annual Campaign” fundraising strategy to engage local, annual pledge of financial support to help sustain the Club. In 2018 the GFAC raised $57,000. The Club moved to the Mt Gilead Community Center in August. This new facility partnership with Mt Gilead Church created a ” New Home for the BGCMC.” Also added this year was a $55,000 grant from the Kendrick Foundation to support the Club’s Triple Play programming. Through this grant the Health Lifestyles Coordinator was hired. Visionary Hero Awards were given to Randy Taylor, Kevin and Robbi Lollar, and Neal McNalley. In 2019, The Club’s NYOI scores were at the very top of the regional DOD’s portfolio. Visionary Hero Awards were given to The Williams Family, The Dillon Family, and MCSC Transportation.
In 2020, all fundraising was cancelled because of the Novel Corona Virus Covid 19. BJ Pendill become the Board Chair, Chris and Mary Beth Branson are Honorary co-chair for the GFAC with kicked off Friday March 13, within 7 days, Covid 19 is a global pandemic, shelter in place orders close a wide array of activities worldwide. The Club begins outreach services such as daily food delivery, wellness checks on Club youth, and virtually programming to promote healthy engagement for members & community. On June 1 the Club reopens and is the only youth & teen serving program open in the county. New protocols are developed to keep youth & staff safe. Golf outing is held in September and raises $75,000.
2021 – Rachel Reecer is board president, has been serving as a board volunteer since 2016. Annual Campaign raises $93,000, Ryan Goodwin is Campaign Chair. BJ Pendill is the Golf Outing Chair. The golf outing is held in September and raises $78,000. Trista Ristau, hired in 2018 as the Healthy Lifestyles Coordinator is now named Program Operation Director. A full time Licensed teacher is hired by the Club to direct Indiana Kids homework. Through the Kendrick Foundation Annual Grant, a partnership with Adult & Child Health is formed, providing a mental health professional at the Club 20 hours per week. Kendrick grants $100K to the Club. Donor of the Year Kendrick Foundation, Partner of the year Kohls, Professional of the year Trista Ristau, and mentor of the year Nicloe Clayton.
2022 – Board votes to create one acre of green space on the overgrown area of the Club. The Club works with all Indiana BGC to produce a multi-year, multimillion dollar, proposal for the Lilly Foundation. Annual Campaign Chairs are Anne and Dave Doyle and $117,000 is raised. The Golf Outing Raises $83,000. Under Trista’s leadership, programs for youth & teens are growing, program development meeting occurring weekly with staff. Lilly Awards $31 million for the BGC’s in IN. Visionary Hero Awards Lois Burgner, BJ Pendill, Wathen & Angermeier families. Donor of the year Kiwanis, volunteer of the year Rachel Reecer, Professional of the year Nicole Clayton, Mentor of the year Autumn Roe
2023 – The Club reaches milestone of 254 members. Golf outing raises $111,000. Visionary Heroes are Kohl’s and Maranel Pruden. The Ward Family are the GFAC Honorary Chairs for 23-2024. Shane Williams has been hired as Development Director. Rebecca Williams is the VP of the Area Council Board. Mike Wood, Unit Director 8 years service, Trista Ristau 5 years service, Chris Tann Executive Director 7 years service, and Nicole Clayton 5 years service.