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A reflective look at 2025 and the kids, teens & families we served
- Christopher Alexander
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
From the desk of Patrick Doyle, CEO
Friends,
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Capital Area has stood as a beacon of opportunity for young people in Albany & Troy for more than 130 years. In 2025, that legacy remained stronger than ever, guided by our mission and driven by wonderful supporters, donors and partners who share our vision for fulfilling the potential of our kids and teens. And we’re fortunate to have incredibly passionate staff, volunteers and parents who truly value our Clubs and services.
Now, as we embark on the year ahead, we are making the commitment to better meet the evolving needs of young people. Thanks to you, we are building the capacity to do what urgently matters: champion all young people, especially those who need us most, as they build great futures.
Let's take a look at the kids, teens and families we have served in 2025.
Our teen program has grown immensely with 75 teens attending our regional Teen Takeover event at Crossgates Mall in January of 2025. Our weekly Teen Takeovers continue to be incredibly popular, as have our teen-specific programs, Career Launch and Lyricism 101. Our Clubhouses collectively served more than 2,000 teens this year! Read more about the regional Teen Takeover.
In the spring, we said goodbye to our former CEO and my good friend, Justin Reuter, as he joined the team at Boys & Girls Clubs of America. With the strong foundation he’s helped to create, we continued to provide critical access and mentorship throughout the year, and look to serving even more youth in the years ahead. Read more about Justin's departure.
Our Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) team continues to provide critical early childhood development programming in 26 classrooms for Albany County Schools. BGCCA is one of the only Clubs in the country to offer independent UPK services -- which we have been doing since 1998. Read more about our UPK services.
Our AfterSchool and Summer Camp experiences provided hundreds of youth the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. There is no more powerful factor in a young person’s life than an adult who believes in them! The Learning and Enrichment After-School Program Supports (LEAPS) grant provided by NYS has enabled more Club afterschool sites this year at schools in Albany and Rensselaer counties. This has provided local youth with access to caring mentors, homework help, healthy food, and more. Read more about our services for middle school aged youth.
This summer, we served 800 families who registered to use the South Troy Pool, giving more than 1,000 Troy children and teens a safe place to cool off, share meals, and connect with one another. The pool had 80 participants, ranging from 13 months to 37 years old, who registered for swim lessons. Trained staff performed 19 rescues which underscores the importance of vigilant lifeguards and strong safety protocols. Read more about the success of the South Troy Pool.
This fall, we partnered with Teamsters Local 294 to provide a free, family-friendly Truck N Treat event for the public, which was attended by hundreds of youth, including our kids and teens from across the Capital Region. Read more about the Halloween event.
In November, the BGCCA Board of Directors appointed me as the new CEO of the organization. This is the culmination of my life’s work as the Club has been a part of me for as long as I can remember. To this day, I remain ever committed to ensuring that our Clubs are places where every young person can feel safe, supported, and inspired. Read more about my CEO appointment.
For the holidays, we worked with generous community partners and donors to provide hearty meals, bags of gifts and stuffed stockings to our respective communities in Albany & Troy. We work toward fulfilling basic holiday needs to create lasting, positive memories.
2025 was not an easy year. Budget cuts, employee transition and other factors have been a challenge for BGCCA and other area non-profits. We continue to face each uncertainty directly, knowing the positive impact we have on kids and teens every day, as they navigate their own lives and challenges.
By investing in our youth, we’re not just helping them to succeed, we’re also investing in the future of our community. When young people have the opportunity to reach their full potential, they become active contributors to their communities, which can fuel innovation and progress.
Our dedicated Club staff, board members, and donors are the foundation of the organization and the heart of our success. My heartfelt thanks to everyone who has helped us work toward greater futures for the next generation.
Even in times of change and uncertainty, one truth endures: our Clubs, our mission, and our young people are unstoppable.
Wishing everyone a safe and happy year to come!
Patrick Doyle, CEO
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Capital Area
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