A BRIEF HISTORY

Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston's service to the Roxbury community began in 1910, when what was then known as the Roxbury Boys’ Club opened. The Club first moved to 80 Dudley Street in 1916, and then to its current location at 115 Warren Street in 1968, amid the city’s plans to revitalize the Dudley Square neighborhood. With the enrollment of girls in 1981, the Club was renamed the Roxbury Boys & Girls Club.

As the Club adapted its programs to changing needs — adding technology programs and special activities to keep teens engaged — it became clear that the facility needed to adapt, as well. In the fall of 2005, BGCB broke ground for a new state-of-the-art facility. The Club underwent a complete renovation and expansion during its 96th year of service to the community, supported by a dozen major donors whose generosity is acknowledged via signage throughout the building. The Club reopened in fall 2006 as the Yawkey Club of Roxbury, named in recognition of the generous gift from the Yawkey Foundation, whose mission it is to make grants that provide immediate, significant and positive impact on the quality of life of youth, families and the underserved. 

Click here to read a detailed early history of the Club, compiled using archival Board Meeting minutes.

HISTORICAL TIMELINE

1910      Roxbury Boys’ Club opens at 2373 Washington Street.

1916      Club relocates to 80 Dudley Street.

1928      Roxbury Boys’ Club merges with Boys’ Club of Boston; organization becomes
             known as The Boys’ Clubs of Boston in 1932.

1940s    Swimming lessons were offered to Army and Navy units in the pool over the next
             few years.

1963     Programs extended from the early classes in woodworking and printing to classes

            that taught carpentry and sailing. Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) notified

            the organization that the land on which the Roxbury Club was located might be

            taken for the building of a regional school.

1968      Roxbury Boys’ Club moves to present location, 115 Warren Street, amid urban 

             renewal in Dudley Square.

1972      The Boys' Clubs of Boston hosts its first Boston Shootout, a premier High School

             basketball tournament. BCB managed the Shootout for 26 years.

1981      Girls are admitted, Club changes name to Roxbury Boys & Girls Club.

2005      BGCB Breaks ground for a new state-of-the-art facility.

2006      Club reopens as Yawkey Club of Roxbury following extensive renovation and
             expansion.

2010      Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston celebrates 100 years of service to the Roxbury
            community.