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Serving Albany & Rensselaer Counties
History of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Capital Area
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Capital Area (BGCCA) has a long history that stretches back to the turn of the last century. From the beginning of Albany's Club in 1892 and Troy's in 1903, to the merger of both Clubs in 2019, to our COVID-19 Pandemic response, and beyond.
BGCCA has continued to grow and meet the needs of our neighborhoods over the years. Today, we continue to stand as a provider of safe spaces for our youth and vital resources for the greater community.
Scroll down to step back through time and discover the history of our local Boys & Girls Clubs and their respective impacts which are still felt today.
Five-Year Grant Award
2024
BGCCA received a five-year grant award of $11.4 million dollars from the NYS Office of Children and Family Services through its newly established initiative Learning and Enrichment After-School Program Supports (LEAPS).
This funding will enable BGCCA to launch after-school programs at new locations and expand the capacity at existing sites
Fire at Albany Clubhouse
2023
A fire broke out on the morning of Monday, Oct. 9 at the Albany Clubhouse. The fire originated in the outside trash area and damaged the rear wall as well as the kitchen, locker room and workout area. The building was closed at the time so no one was injured.
Thank you to Albany Fire Department for quickly extinguishing the fire. Thanks to Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan, Come Connect Church, the local services working on the restoration, and to everyone who helped in the recovery.
COVID Response
2020
Within 48 hours, the output capacity of BGCCA’s food program increased at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, from serving approximately 1,100 meals to youth in afterschool programs each day to serving over 14,000 meals each week. BGCCA distributed more than 750,000 free meals in the community during COVID.
Read more about our food program
Freight Farm
2019
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Capital Area (BGCCA) introduces Freight Farm, an innovative new way to fight food insecurity, teach children, and generate revenue through high-tech hydroponic farming.
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Capital Area
2019
Boys & Girls Clubs of Albany and Troy Boys & Girls Club merged to become Boys & Girls Clubs of the Capital Area. This merger brought together two strong organizations to become one of the region’s largest youth organizations.
Read more about the merger
2017
Boys & Girls Club of Albany adds 5 new after school sites after receiving Empire State After School funding.
2014
Boys & Girls Club of Albany adds 5 new after school sites after receiving 21st Century funding. Troy Boys & Girls Club licenses a catering site that now feeds 200,000 annually.
2011
Troy Boys & Girls Club receives a generous $2 Million donation.
2010
Community support helps Boys & Girls Club of Albany through imminent bankruptcy.
2003
Troy Boys & Girls Club celebrates its centennial anniversary. Read more.
1998
Boys & Girls Club of Albany partners with the City School District to begin providing a Universal Prekindergarten program.
Read more about our UPK Program
1991
Troy Boys & Girls Club (TBGC) is officially re-incorporated and recognizes girls as "official” members, (pictured).
1990
Movement officially recognizes the fact that girls are a part of our cause: Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
1987
Livingston Ave Boys Club closes permanently.
1978
After another rebranding that changed the name to Boys Clubs of America, the logo was completely transformed into the 'Hands' symbol we know today. Designer Saul Bass was involved in the creation of the new symbol.
1966
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As one of the 53 founding organizations, Troy Boys Club is named a "Diamond Jubilee Charter.”
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Troy Boys Club allows girls to attend specialized programming for the first time.
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The main facility of the Troy Boys Club is dedicated in downtown Troy and is still used today.
1963
Albany Boys Club opens on Livingston Avenue.
From The Knickerboker News:
ON THE DOTTED LINE - Fred Schroder, director of the Livingston Avenue Boys Club, signs up new members at registration day at the club. From left, front row, the youngsters are Peter DeNucci, Donald Baily, Frank DeNucci, and Robert Harlan; back row, Frank Bors, Richard Bradley and Fred Williams. Frank DeNucci is a co-chair of the BGCCA Club Alumni Group.
Read more about Club Alumni.
1956
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50th Anniversary of the Movement.
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Boys Club of Albany moves to 21 Delaware Avenue which is still in use today.
From The Knickerboker News
September 26: FIRST BOYS CLUB MEMBER - John Kearney, 262 Madison Ave., was the first in line to join the new Boys Club on Delaware Ave., Monday and received his membership card as Director Thomas C. Bender looks on. Watching proceedings are, from left, Robert Mezzaferro, Salvatore Duva, Phillip Carron and Michael Bossert. John Kearney is still actively involved in the organization.
1952
Rensselaer Boys Club (pictured) is chartered by Boys Clubs of America and officially opens on February, 1st, 1953. This Club is unaffiliated with BGCCA.
1944
Lansingburgh Boys Club is founded. The Club is located on 4th Ave in Troy and is unaffiliated with BGCCA.
Pictured: Parade watchers stand in front of the old Troy Boys Club in 1948.
1941
Boys' Club of America logo redesign resulted in an outlined trapezium emblem with a red border and the name spelled out completely.
1936
Schenectady Boys' Club is founded. Originally located in a store on Front Street, it now sits on Education Drive. This Club is unaffiliated with BGCCA.
Pictured: The Albany Boys Club at 113-115 Beaver Street, Albany NY, (building on the left), sometime in the 1930's.
1931
The Boys Club Federation of America changes name to Boys Clubs of America. A new logo is unveiled, (pictured).
1906
Several Boys Clubs decided to affiliate. The Federated Boys Clubs in Boston was formed with 53 member organizations – this marked the start of a nationwide Movement and a national organization.
Troy Boys Club
1903
Troy Boys Club (TBC) became incorporated in 1903 and later became a member of the Federated Boys Clubs in Boston.
In recognition of being one of the 53 founding organizations of the Boys & Girls Club Movement, the Club was named a "Diamond Jubilee Charter.”
Pictured: An engraving of Troy, NY in 1881.
Boys Club of Albany
1892
Boys Club of Albany was chartered in Albany, NY in June.
Pictured: Five months later, an article about The Club's progress was published on page 8 of The Argus, which we have republished in its entirety here.
Boys & Girls Clubs of America
1860
Boys & Girls Clubs of America had its beginnings in 1860 with three women in Hartford, CT; Mary Goodwin, Alice Goodwin and Elizabeth Hammersley. Believing that boys who roamed the streets should have a positive alternative, they organized the The Good Will Club in Hartford, CT (pictured). A cause was born.
Boys & Girls Clubs annually serve nearly 4 million young people, through membership and community outreach. Learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of America:
City of Troy, NY
1664
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The area was first settled by the Mohican tribe who called the area Paanpack.
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It was settled by the Dutch in the 1630's and named Pafraets Dael after Kiliaen van Rensselaer's mother.
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The Dutch colony was taken over by the English in 1664.
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The area was renamed Troy in 1789 after the legendary city in Homer's Iliad.
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The town of Troy was incorporated in 1791 from part of the town of Rensselaerswyck.
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The town became a village in 1796 and a city in 1816.
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Pictured: Falls of Mount Ida aka Poestenkill Falls engraving made in 1817 by Henri Gaugain.
City of Albany, NY
1624
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The first permanent settlement in Albany was established in 1624.
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The Dutch named the area Albany in 1664 after the Duke of Albany.
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The Albany Congress was held in 1754, where Benjamin Franklin proposed the Albany Plan of Union.
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Albany became the capital of New York State in 1797.
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The Erie Canal and a railroad were built through Albany in the early 1800s.
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The telegraph, electric motor, and celluloid plastic were all pioneered in Albany.
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Pictured: A native looks over New York Harbor to see the arrival of Henry Hudson in 1609, by Edward Morgan courtesy the Library of Congress.
The Future
While our achievements are extensive, we are committed to continue expanding our services to reach more children, wherever they may be.
With the help of individuals, corporations, and foundations who share our beliefs in the potential of every girl and boy, regardless of their circumstances, we look to the future with great optimism.
