Our Club Stories
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Club members smile during the annual back-to-school event.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago Programming Is Back!
For Chicago families, the start of a new school year brings excitement and the promise of a fresh beginning. But it can also bring financial pressure as families work to make sure their children have everything they need to succeed.
At the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Club in the East Garfield Park neighborhood, we helped families prepare for the first day of school with a back-to-school celebration designed to help kids feel ready and excited to start the year.
Kids caught up with friends about their summers, enjoying icy treats while families picked out backpacks and filled them with school supplies and personal care items.
"Miss Danielle said we can all have snow cones!" Chance, age 10, said with a smile, holding his blue raspberry treat.
Chance and his family were among dozens of families who attended the back-to-school event.
King Club Director Danielle Campfield wanted to make sure members looked as good as they felt, so she invited several local hairstylists to style the kids' hair before their first day of school.
"Even the smallest things make a big difference," said Danielle. "Starting the new school year can be stressful, so anything we can do to make our members feel confident and good about themselves is important."
From a new backpack filled with supplies to a fresh hairstyle, a favorite snack, and time spent with friends, every part of the day helped kids feel ready to take on the new school year.
And thanks to the generosity of friends like you, this same experience reached children across the city. We distributed more than 1,500 backpacks filled with school supplies to children at our nine Clubs in Chicago, helping remove barriers to learning and easing the financial burden many families face.
Together, we're empowering our youth for a fantastic school year ahead!
Club members smile after climbing Rendezvous Mountain in Wyoming.
A Journey to Remember: Club Members Take on Sixth Annual Journey to the West
At Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago (BGCC), we want every Club kid to know that they can achieve any goal they set for themselves. During the sixth annual Journey to the West, BGCC high school graduates traveled to Wyoming to discover their true potential.
"I had never flown on a plane before this trip," said Rodolfo.
Rodolfo has been a member of the Bartlett J. McCartin Club in the Bridgeport community for four years. During the trip, he began building a new sense of community with other Club kids from across the city.
This year's trip was a success as every member of the group participated in every activity together for the first time. The 8-mile trail to Wind Cave wasn't easy, as the group scaled a mountain and entered a massive cave. The group had already spent days hiking, horseback riding, paddleboarding, rafting, and trying things most of them had never done before.
However, nobody turned around, and they kept climbing together. When the group finally reached Wind Cave, they realized they had all done it together.
Making Music Together: Introducing the Big Three
Aiden, Brooklyn, and Hannah met at the James R. Jordan Club in the Near West Side neighborhood as 5-year-olds and quickly bonded over their shared love of music. Now, 7 years later, they call themselves The Big Three.
"Music is everything to me," said Aiden.
Aiden "Baby Virgo," Brooklyn "Brookie Cookie," and Hannah "Hannah Banana" are creating music and growing as artists, sharing a message of celebration and just being kids.
"Making music with my friends is my favorite part of being at the Club," said Brooklyn.
Thanks to Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago's Notes 4 Notes program, they've had the amazing opportunity to craft and record their own narratives while developing invaluable music skills.
The trio recently released their first EP and showcased their talent at Chicago's iconic Bud Billiken Parade & Festival.
"Singing at the parade was so fun," said Hannah.
This group shines as a beautiful example of what happens when kids are given the freedom to flourish through music and discover their unique voices.
The Day Her Dreams Took Flight
Building More Than STEM Skills
Twelve Summers Later, He's Ready for What's Next
21st Annual Guild Board Lawn Ball
77th Annual Woman’s Board Summer Ball
Taking Flight with the AT&T Dunk Bus
The Gantz Club’s Kaylin is Our Carol A. Walter Junior Youth of the Year!
Cooking Up Confidence at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Club
Exploring Exciting Activities During STEM Week at True Value Club
BGCC SMART Girls Summit: A Space to Be Seen and Heard
Blackhawks Mural Unveiling for MLK Day
MLK Jr. Oratory Competition 2026
The Most Wonderful Time: A Winter WonderFest Extravaganza
A Community Coming Together: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Club Barber Day
A Beloved Thanksgiving Tradition in Bridgeport
Warm Coats, Warmer Hearts: T.J. Edwards of the Chicago Bears Visits BGCC
Opening New Doors: 1,000 Laptops, 1,000 Futures Unlocked
BGCC and the Chicago Blackhawks Unveil Historic Partnership
Foley & Lardner Author Series: A Conversation with Arshay Cooper
