June 1, 1964 was a cool, cloudy Monday (just 68°). Spring was ready to make way for the summer heat. Both the Rolling Stones and the Beatles launched rock-n-roll’s “British Invasion” of the United States, revolutionizing music, and world heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali had revolutionized boxing, even declaring himself “King of the World” on this day.
But in Tennessee’s Ocoee region a different revolution was happening.
On 255 South Broad Street, Cleveland, in what some may remember as Murphy Brothers Funeral Home, the very first Boys Club was incorporated, led by the Rev. Harold Ray, the Club’s first president.
Funds to operate in the early days were hard to come by. In 1966, the annual budget was just $27,166 (that’s just over $200,000 adjusted for inflation). But despite the limited resources, many good people in this community gave sacrificially, allowing “The Club That Beats the Streets” to grow to 800 members! And as the growth continued to swell, so did the support. A new $250,000 facility was completed in December 1969, and by the end of 1974, the bank notes on the building had all been paid in full!
Over several decades, the Club continued to grow and evolve, even incorporating a nationwide change in the early 1990s by Boys Clubs of America to become Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA). Also in the 90’s, BGCA began emphasizing educational programs and Health & Life Skills programs, both of which are now at the core of the Clubs movement.
From 1964–2017, our single unit became nine units (seven in Bradley County, and one each in Polk and Meigs counties). Then came the real growth spurt: a strategic alliance with five Monroe County units in 2018, two new units (Copper Basin and Etowah) in 2022, and then our first unit in Rhea County in 2024, has brought our current grand total to 17 units spread across six counties!
A revolution? Indeed. A revolution to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to:
- be engaged by caring, friendly, welcoming staff who help them to become skilled in understanding and navigating their own and others’ emotions, values, and interests (Caring).
- have positive learning opportunities and a variety of Club experiences that foster creativity and imagination while preparing them to graduate from high school ready for the next steps (Productive).
- be engaged citizens, involved in the community, and modelling strong character and healthy lifestyle choices that lead to Great Futures (Responsible)!
For more than 60 years, we’ve been your hands extended, reaching out to those who need you—and us—most. That is BGCOR’s mission … our heartbeat, our driving, all-consuming passion. And with your support, that’s the way it will stay.
