Our History

Our History

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Red River Valley is a private, nonprofit organization serving area youth since 1972, and has operated before school, after school, and summer youth development programs since 1986. The organization was originally known as the Fargo Youth Commission. 


In 2008, we became a charter member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Although our name has changed, our mission remains the same: “To provide a safe, caring, and fun environment for youth to learn, grow, and prepare for a great future". 

BGCA History

Boys & Girls Clubs of America started in 1860 with three women in Hartford, Connecticut, believing that boys who roamed the streets should have a positive alternative. They organized the first Club.

With character development as the cornerstone of the experience, the Club focused on capturing boy's interests, improving their behavior, and increasing their personal expectations and goals.

BGCRRV Local History


1971

  • "We Want a Center". Idea was proposed by the Youth Council (a group of 12 teens)
  • Purpose: to improve Police-youth relationships and focus on juvenile delinquency. Funded by the North Dakota Law Enforcement Council
  • Secured rent-free space to open Fargo Youth Commission.


1972-1980​


  • Located at 701 Main Ave., Fargo​
  • 145 Youth Served​
  • 1979 received first United Way of Cass-Clay funding to support​
  • Programs Offered: ​
  • Juvenile Delinquency Prevention​
  • Supportive Counseling
  • Fargo Youth Commission (recreational)

1980-1982


  • Located at 14 8th St. S., Fargo​
  • Added Charitable Gaming to assist in the funding of programs​
  • Programs Offered:​
  • Fargo Youth Commission (recreational)​
  • Red River Runaway Program​
  • Mountain Plains Youth Coalition ​

1982-1986


  • Located at 914 Main Ave​., Fargo
  • Increase in programming

1986


  • Purchased 226 Broadway​
  • Opened Broadway Junktion​
  • Non-Alcoholic Teen Club​
  • Extended Day Program began​
  • Afterschool programming for 5th-9th graders​
  • Transported from schools​

1987

​

  • Transportation from 11 schools in Fargo​
  • 52 youth​


1988

​

  • Transportation from 18 schools in metro​
  • 202 youth​

1989


  • Pilot “in school” on site program at 2 elementary schools​
  • 400 youth​

1990-2000​


  • “In school” programs continued to grow​
  • Approximately 1,500 youth served per year​
  • Purchase of 2500 18th St. S.​, Fargo

2001​


  • Fargo Youth Center, 2500 18th St. S., Fargo Opened​ (Now BGCRRV Midtown Youth Center)


2004​


  • Purchase and Opened Moorhead Youth Center at 215 10th St. N., Moorhead​


2007​


  • Opened of 4809 S. University Dr​. S., Fargo (Now BGCRRV Rose Creek Youth Center)

2014


  • Play Outside Daily (POD) mobile recreation unit started providing programs at local parks free of charge​

2018​


  • Moorhead Youth Center sold ​


2020


  • Acquisition of 612 23rd St S, Fargo (formerly CHARISM, now BGCRRV McCormick Park)​


2022


  • BGCRRV celebrated our 50th Anniversary during National BGC Week


2023


  • McCormick Park Youth Center sold
  • Added Horace Mann - Roosevelt AM and PM programming for school year 2023-2024


2024

  • Added Clara Barton AM and PM programming for school year 2024-2025
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