A new 20,000-square-foot club located in South Elgin, Illinois recently marked opening of the 5,000th club in the 163-year history of Boys and Girls Clubs of America.

Hollywood star Denzel Washington, a Boys & Girls Club alumnus and national spokesperson for the past 30 years, delivered the keynote address at the milestone opening, highlighting significant mission moments, training for the brand's supporters, and the unification of communities in a shared commitment to serve children.

Along with Washington, also present was Jim Clark, president and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America; Cathy Russell, executive director of the Boys & Girls Club of South Elgin; Chris Abele, chairman of the board of directors of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America; and Steve Super, South Elgin City Manager.

Clark stated:

As we celebrate this milestone, we are honored and humbled to acknowledge that over the last several decades, Boys & Girls Clubs have continued to open in response to communities across the country seeking meaningful solutions for kids, teens, and families.

A special occasion

The collaborators and members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America also took advantage of the celebrate the new center for what it will bring to youth in Illinois town.

Bridgestone Retail Operations provided a 15-seater van to facilitate transportation for the club's youth, while the Buffalo Wild Wings Foundation donated outdoor equipment to enhance youth sports.

The celebration culminated in a visit from DJ D-Nice, who acted as a mentor to a young aspiring artist while attendees enjoyed Panda Express catering provided by the Panda Cares Foundation.

“Time and time again, they continue to see incredible outcomes kids and teens have when they attend a Boys & Girls Club, and we are committed to continuing this impact in the future,” added Clark.

Washington visits

Highlighting how the new headquarters will serve more than 250 children and adolescents a day, a group of club members led Washington to tour and test out the new facilities.

Just one of those super cool moments! Thank you for always supporting our Clubs https://t.co/RwBObijmsA

— Boys & Girls Clubs of America (@BGCA_Clubs) April 14, 2023

Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Olympian, Club alumnus and native of Illinois, shared her new book, Running for the Gold: Connecting Kids to Dreams with children and teens; Major League Baseball hosted a youth baseball clinic for club members; and WWE superstars Xavier Woods and Raquel Rodríguez led the Be A STAR anti-bullying rally to encourage young people to treat each other with respect.

“This celebration not only honors the legacy of our organization but is a moment to recognize what Boys & Girls Clubs across the country, together with trusted partners, communities and mission-supporters, do every day to empower our next generation of leaders, innovators and changemakers,” said Clark.

You should know: Boys & Girls Clubs of America

For more than 160 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America has opened its doors to children and teens across the United States, providing a safe and inclusive space where youth can be themselves, develop essential skills, and find positive mentors who champion their potential.

To date, the organization has provided more than 40 million youth with mentors, food, and meaningful life experiences to ensure that all of the nation's youth have access to opportunities and experiences that lead to great futures.

Every year, it also offers more than 3.6 million children access opportunities that help them graduate from high school on time and with a plan for the future.

“The impact of Clubs is felt nationwide, as 83% of Club seniors have applied for post-secondary education, while 82% of Club kids believe that they can make a difference in their local community,” highlighted the organization.