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Boys and Girls Club

Of Northeast Ohio

By on Sep 1, 2023 in Giving

Let’s journey to the Midwest and introduce you to the Boys and Girls Club of Northeast Ohio (BGCNEO), founded in 2019, creating the nation’s largest Boys and Girls Club. The club provides a safe and fun place for kids ages six-18 to go after school, focusing on academic success, healthy lifestyles and leadership. There is no charge to join.

Kids can come after school when parents are typically still at work, giving them peace of mind knowing their children are in good hands.  A typical day at BGCNEO starts with “power hour,” which includes getting help with homework followed up with recreation, arts, music and a free meal.

Yardi employees and staff at Boys and Girls Club NE Ohio

BGCNEO plans to double the number of kids by 2025 and hopes to deepen the impact of programs and strengthen connections to club neighborhoods. Funding from Yardi helps provide world-class programs for kids and expands its reach across Northeast Ohio. The support allows kids to experience various opportunities, from music performances to career-readiness programming.

“We are extremely grateful for this support. Yardi has been supporting our Clubs for a decade now. We couldn’t do our work if it weren’t for our amazing partners and corporate supporters like Yardi,” says Ken Wood, director of communications for BGCNEO.

On behalf of the Yardi Cleveland charity committee, Suzy Scherer, senior technology manager for revenue IQ, speaks about BGCNEO, “Knowing these kids get a place to be kids and have an activity/learning-based center that promotes positive change is so amazing!”

Boys & Girls Clubs are suitable investments. A University of Michigan study found that for every dollar invested in a Club, $9.60 in benefits are returned to the community.

“In a Harris alumni survey, 54% of the respondents said the club ‘saved my life,’” Wood said.

Richard Starr’s Story

Richard Starr grew up in one of Cleveland’s toughest neighborhoods. He could have quickly gone down the wrong path if he hadn’t walked into his local Boys & Girls Club. There, he found fun activities, structure and the male role models that had been missing from his life. After joining the Club, Starr thrived in sports and the classroom at his high school. He was named Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year for Ohio.

A few years later, he became the director of the club he credits with saving his life. In 2021, Starr was elected to Cleveland City Council to represent the neighborhood where he grew up and still lives.

Volunteer Opportunities

BGCNEO has several opportunities for groups and individuals to volunteer with.

  • Beautification projects include outdoor weeding, picking up trash, and mulching.
  • Indoor deep cleaning, including mopping, washing windows, dusting and organizing rooms/closets.
  • Member-related activities include reading to kids, participating in an art project, game room tournament, playing gym/board games with members (Triple Play), homework help, and hosting/participating in a holiday event.
  • Being a guest presenter for career readiness programs
  • Support for events
  • Chaperoning field trips
  • STEM program activities

See for more information on how to get involved or email [email protected].

Find future non-profit profiles at https://www.yardi.com/blog/category/giving.