Forty years ago, Boys & Girls Club of Harlem emerged out of the vision of the Convent Avenue Baptist Church Women's Ministry, led by beloved Rev. M.L. Wilson. The women of the church envisioned Harlem's youth having safe spaces and caring adults to help them learn, grow, and have fun.
From Deloris Jones to Shirley Lewis to Rev. LaTonia Middleton Jackson, who have epitomized Hebrews 12:2, the Convent Avenue Baptist Church Women's Ministry helped to shape the direction of BGCHarlem.
With the support of the Women's Ministry, BGCHarlem will serve over 100 children and teens in direct on-site services at our flagship clubhouse at PS 186, as well as provides virtual programming and support to over 1,000 youth and their families at our six clubhouses across Harlem this summer.
Daily our kids are engaged in safe, constructive, and fun activities that will help:
Curb learning loss experienced while schools are shut down
Provide exposure to fine and performing arts
Develop the interest of members and their capacity to lead and serve their community
Achieve academic success and good health and wellness habits
And during this pandemic, we have also been able to support the parents of our members. Many are single mothers, grandmothers, and aunts to whom we provide the critical child care needed for them to return to work.
From BGCHarlem, they are also receiving the essential tools needed to navigate what we know will be an uncertain future ahead emerging from quarantine.
BGCHarlem is grateful to Convent Avenue Baptist Church Women's Ministry ongoing leadership and support allowing us to advance our mission propelling Harlem children and our community towards a great, bright future.