About Us

Effective January 1st, 2018, the Clubs in Pontiac and Fairbury joined forces to become Boys & Girls Club of Livingston County. One year later, the organization acquired school sites at Prairie Central Primary East (Chatsworth) and West (Chenoa). A 21st Century site was opened at Prairie Central Junior High in Forrest in 2020. In 2021, additional 21st Century sites were added at Pontiac Junior High, Woodland Junior High in Streator, and Flanagan High School. We also opened our Dwight location in 2023. Being a member now gives you the availability to use any Club locations for after school, summer programs, or sports. Read our mission and program information, find our locations, and discover our wonderful team below.

Our History

In 2022, the Boys & Girls Club (which initially started out in the early 1970’s as the Chief City Area Boys Club led by Mr. Murray Wallace) celebrated 50 years of service. Mr. Wallace, Principal at Washington School, saw a need for a youth organization where kids could go after school to participate in activities. The first Boys Club was created by a group of concerned and dedicated citizens who opened a youth facility on Plum Street.

The Club moved to Main St. behind what was then the City Hall (and is currently a parking lot) behind the Old City Hall Shoppes, Route 66 Museum, and the Livingston County War Museum. In 1978, the Club moved to Ladd St. in the former location of the Ladd St. School. The Humiston Youth Center was opened in 1986 at its current location of 1303 E. Indiana Avenue.

In 1990, following the national organization’s lead, the name changed to the Boys & Girls Club of Livingston County.

In January of 2018, the Boys & Girls Club of Livingston County merged with the Boys & Girls Club of Prairie Central in Fairbury. The Prairie Central site has been operating in Fairbury since 1985. We have seven other locations in Chatsworth, Forrest, Chenoa, Streator, Flanagan, Dwight, and Pontiac Junior High. We offer sport programs to all members 4 years old through 6th grade. We currently offer soccer, flag football, basketball, t-ball/baseball/softball, and volleyball. We also offer teens a positive place to hang out two nights a week.

The Club operates with a responsible, caring, and professional staff and a dedicated governing Board of Directors. The board is composed of 11 community members, and we are always looking for volunteers to join us on our crusade to keep the Boys and Girls Club of Livingston County moving forward. We operate on a tight budget with the help of generous local sponsors, the Community Fund, membership and sport fees, the Office of Juvenile Justice Department Grant, and the TeenReach Grant. Every day, the organization serves over 300 youth! The BGCLC has a long history of serving youth and is known as one of the long-standing pillars of our community.

Our Mission:

To enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.

Our Programs

We offer an After School Program for children ages 5-12 and a Teen Program for children ages 13-18.

What Boys & Girls Club Offers:

FUN!
Rule number one for almost everything that happens at the Club is that it must be fun.

A Safe Place
The Club is a safe place where young people can come to enjoy themselves and their friends.

Opportunities
Club members have the opportunity to learn, grow, give back to the community, discover their needs, set goals, and meet new friends

A Full Schedule of Great Activities
From simple games to leadership opportunities, we offer a wide range of activities.  Contact us for more information about our programs.

Age-Appropriate Services
Boys & Girls Clubs strive to meet the youth development needs in their communities.  Stop by, meet our staff, and learn more about all we have to offer.

Our Club:

It is for boys and girls.  Being a member of a Boys & Girls Club satisfies the age-old desire of young people to have a “club” of their own.

When school is out, the Club is in.  It is open when girls and boys need it.  Most Clubs are open after school, some evenings, and weekends.

It has full-time professional leadership supplemented by part-time workers and volunteers.

It requires no proof of good character.  It helps and guides girls and boys who may be in danger of acquiring, or who already have acquired, unacceptable habits and attitudes, as well as boys and girls of good character.

It assures that all girls and boys can afford to belong.  Membership dues are kept low, so even the least interested will not be deterred from joining.

It is for all boys and girls.  Young people of all races, religions and ethnic cultures are welcome.

It has a varied and diversified program. It recognizes and responds to the collective and individual needs of girls and boys.

It is guidance-oriented.  A Boys & Girls Club emphasizes relationships members have with each other and with adult leaders.  It helps young people make appropriate choices in their physical, educational, personal, social, emotional, vocational and spiritual lives.

It is building-centered.  Activities are conducted in the warm, friendly atmosphere of a facility especially designed for youth programs.