Celebrating 125 Years of Belonging at BGC

Saint John has always been a city of firsts, and the Boys & Girls Club, now known as BGC, is another organization that got its start in the port city. What originally started as a way to keep troublesome boys off local city streets, has grown into a beloved organization helping youth find their way in over 600 club locations across the country.

Carl White, a lifelong club kid and volunteer, traced the history back to 1892.

“There’s actually a newspaper article that talks about how they noticed a number of boys running wild around town and decided to give them something to do…a place to gather.”

He explained that much of the push came after the Great Fire of 1877, when poverty and displacement left families struggling.

“That rebuilding period had a big impact, and the priests from the Methodist church realized something needed to be done.”

That initial movement eventually became the Everyday Boys Club, where young men could gather and be constructive with their time. Records between 1892 and 1900 are sparse, but in 1900 the Rotary Club stepped in with a focus on youth, giving structure, funding, and vision.

“From 1892 to 1900 there’s a lot of history lost. That’s why BGC Canada decided to use 1900 as the start date. That’s when significant events happened, like the Rotary coming in as a major support,” Carl said. “All Rotary clubs followed that model of support for children and youth, but we were the first ones.”

For Carl, the story is personal. He and seven siblings grew up at the Club, where he found not only safety but confidence in himself.

“It gave us a place we were welcome, a place where we could learn and share with other youth. You could feel safe, you could feel comfortable. That gives a child self-worth, and the Club has done that for hundreds of kids over the years, including me and my family.”

He believes the Club helped shape his adult life.

“I became a city councillor, I became Deputy Mayor. And of course, I jumped at the chance to give back to those that gave me something, which was the Club.”

The Club’s resilience has been tested and proven time and again. After a fire in 1974 destroyed most of the building, the community refused to let it be the end. Executive Director Louise Dalcourt shared how it’s because of the community that the Club was rebuilt and brought to where it is today. “The majority of it was donated by the community. The materials, the architects, even some of the labour,” she said.

The new design expanded the space to 36,000 square feet, creating a hub that has since welcomed thousands of kids.

Over the years, the Club has continuously transformed its programs to meet the evolving needs of youth.

“The programs adapt, and the culture adapts to how the world works…leadership, educational programs, clean energy programs, skills-based trades, that’s what kids want to learn about,” Carl explained. He expanded on how every community is different, so what River Valley needs is very different than what Saint John or Sussex needs.

Louise added, “We have a joke amongst ourselves. We are master pivotors. Life evolves, and we have to evolve with it…because kids are going to need more and more, especially on the mental health side of things.”

Now, the Club is preparing to tell its story in print. This fall, BGC Greater Saint John will release a history book that traces its journey from the very beginning. The project started with Reverend Lloyd Lake in 2001, who gathered photos and research until his passing in 2013. The work sat unfinished for years until Carl and Louise decided to take it on as part of the 125^th anniversary celebrations.

 “With Carl’s help we went through all the critical information and worded it in a way that’s inclusive and easy to read,” Louise said.

“We wanted to put together something that tells the story of where the Club came from in 1892 to where we are today,” Carl added.

This year, BGC Greater Saint John celebrates 125 years since the Rotary Club formally helped establish it as a model for youth programs across Canada. The anniversary has already included community events, recognition of longtime volunteers, and programs highlighting the Club’s history. The book will help cap off the year, preserving the story for future generations.

Through fires, rebuilds, and changing times, BGC Greater Saint John has stayed true to its mission: giving kids a safe place to grow, belong, and build their futures.

This fall, the Club will share its full story in print with the release of a commemorative history book. Pre-sales are already open, and you can reserve your copy today to be among the first to hold the story in your hands.