A GREAT IDEA IN 1939,
A BETTER IDEA TODAY
History
The year was 1939 and construction began on a bridge to the future for thousands of children from Polk County. The initial architect for this bridge was James J. Musso, Sr. His vision laid the foundation for that first bridge and built an organization that would serve the Boys of Polk County and help provide the direction they needed to become successful participating citizens of their community. As this bridge was constructed new offramps would be added: Clubhouses in Lakeland, Winter Haven, Bartow, Haines City, Lake Wales, Fort Meade and Mulberry would be added to welcome the children of these communities connected by the Clubs Bridge.
Along the way it was decided that the girls of the community should be encouraged to use this bridge to the future as well and in the early 1990’s the organization expanded to serve girls along with their parent organization the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
Today’s Boys & Girls Clubs of Polk County is more than just a safe place.
The Clubs provide a proactive alternative to school failure and the cycle of poverty that grips many of the families whose children we serve.
The Club offers academic, nutritional, and civic programs that help children at every stage of development:
• Primary schoolers struggling with homework
• Teenagers making the difficult transition to adulthood
• High school students facing choices about college and career
The Club’s impact extends to the families and communities of the children we serve, as well.
Our after-school programs and nutritional dinners enable parents to work, knowing their children are in a safe and nurturing environment. We impact the community by increasing graduation rates, lowering teen pregnancy and crime rates, and increasing volunteerism.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Polk County as they seek to widen and strengthen this bridge to serve an additional 8,000 children. Along with the more than 2,500 children served annually, over the next five years, our bridge will be expanded to serve 10,000 children annually.