A-
 A 
A+
Open login
Print E-mail

The Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa performs an exceptional service to youth in our community,
giving them a place to go that is not just safe, but full of positive messages and encouragement.
Peer based motivation, blended with good guidance and opportunity, is simply a powerful
combination when it comes to creating the right environment for kids to grow up into the best
adults they can be.

The helping hand to parents and our community offered at the club is an asset to say the least.

Thanks for your efforts and for making our job just a little bit easier!

Chief Vern White, Ottawa Police

As an older person who has retired from the work force, I wanted to find some volunteer activities that would help me contribute to my community. Fortunately, the (BGCO) McCann Clubhouse, was nearby. I looked into the programs and immediately saw areas of interest where I could contribute.

As a volunteer, I enjoy working with the kids and the staff immensely. I feel that I receive as much from them, if not more than I can give back in my small way.

Having the BGCO in our community is a terrific asset, bringing together people from all walks of life and cultures. In my view, the BGCO provides a wide variety of opportunities for young people to grow, develop their social skills and just have some fun.

Brian Curry, Volunteer

Margaret Whitley writes: “People support what they create.” Last year, the Boys and Girls Club – in partnership with the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board – “created” an after-school program to help youth with their academics as well as to provide sports, recreation, leadership, and community development opportunities.

Together, we are committed providing the essential support needed for young people to reach their goals and potential. Thank-you for being a genuine community partner dedicated to enhancing the lives of the youth of Ottawa.

OCDSB Superintendent of instruction
Walter Piovesan


The Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa is a welcome addition to the Cambridge Street Community Public School family. The Club shares the same values as the school and provides our students with a seamless day in a safe, caring, familiar environment where they can play and learn with classmates and new friends from other schools. The Club encourages students to explore new sports, strengthen academic skills, try a variety of creative activities, to be positive citizens and to develop leadership skills as they grow. It is a pleasure to have such a positive community resource for our
students sharing our facilities, helping our students gain the confidence they need as they grow and reach for their goals and dreams!

Kim MacDonald, Principal,
Cambridge Street community P.S.

Rochester Heights Boys and Girls Club offers a selection of after hours activities to the students of Cambridge School and the surrounding area. There is a carefully planned range of activities that take place in the school gym, out in the playground and in a newly renovated games area adjacent to the gym. This school based community club provides the students with opportunities to develop their social skills and interpersonal relationships outside of the school day. The benefits of this unique program are observed across many domains: educational, creative arts, physical development
and social/emotional well-being. The students are making noticeable growth in these areas and most notably in their self esteem. Many of our students have English as their second language. The Boys and Girls club gives students a safe, organized, nurturing setting in which to hear English and to improve their English speaking skills. All of the students benefit as they communicate with their peers, play games, engage in sports activities, enjoy arts and crafts and complete homework assignments. It is very uplifting to hear the joyful voices and see the happy faces of our students as they enjoy this
very popular after school program.

Julie Smith, Teacher

"I would like to extend my utmost thanks and gratitude to Adam, Sarah and staff at the McCann Boys & Girls Club. You have given my son a safe and enjoyable place to be.
Being a single parent, I have not always had the means it involve my son in extracurricular activities, but the McCann club has made that possible for a deserving little boy. Excursions and camps have been a distant thought and not always feasible. I would like to express how much I appreciate everyone's help. Especially Adam and Sarah who bent over backwards to ensure that Mackenzie went to camp (planting seeds and camp Smitty). Thanks to all the staff at Camp Smitty and Planting Seeds for giving my son the summer of his life and the incentive to one day be "a leader in training". Thanks to Fahad for being a role model for Mack and thanks to Chloe and Lindsay for always showing interest and concern regardless of the situation.

You guys and gals are great and I'm so happy and appreciative that you are all here for the kids in our community

Thank you so much"

Natalie Cristopher
(Mackenzie's Mom)

Dear Adam, staff and volunteers of the Fred C McCann Unit, Boys and Girls Club

My children have been coming to the Fred C McCann unit for about three years now, and I don’t know where I would be without the kind staff at the unit.

I think it is important for me to thank you all for the excellent tutoring program.

My daughter Arianna was diagnosed two years ago with dyslexia, and it has been a battle for her school work as well as her self-esteem to keep up with other peers in her class.

At Queen Elizabeth School, she works on a laptop to help her; she has accepted that and is doing well. With the tutors help from BGC/QE, Arianna received an award for most improved student in math for multiplication and division. She was elated and of course I cried. LOL.

With the help from your staff, you have given Arianna the tools to help her get through anything. The kids at BGC are treated equally, which is an awesome quality because it gives my daughter the feeling that she is just the same as the other kids.

Her self-esteem has gone through the roof. I haven’t seen my baby girls so happy and wanting to read and learn without self-doubt.

I am indebted to the BGC for the support, friendship and many other priceless qualities that Arianna will have forever. She will grow and prosper with the knowledge that she can do whatever she puts her mind to. For that I am forever grateful.

Not only has the tutoring program benefited my daughter, but my son Giuliano as well. He has received two A’s on his math tests. He hadn’t had A’s so far, and was so excited to get off the bus to show us his A’s.

Not only does the tutoring help their grades, but it has helped my children get back the strength to believe they can do anything, and if they do fail at something not to worry because tomorrow is another day that you can improve.

When I walk the kids and drop them off, as soon as they open the doors you can feel the warmth and comforting atmosphere of friends. I wish I could stay too! LOL.The staff always greets you with a smile and conversation.

As I said, I am and always will be so thankful for the Boys and Girls Club. We’ve dealt with a lot of issues, and have had a lot of unfortunate circumstances living in the Overbrook area, but one thing is for sure: we can count on the Boys and Girls Club to be there no matter what. It’s a safe place to learn and grow as children should, to their full potential, and my children are definitely doing that because of the BGC!

I thank you - and thank you again!

" The Boys and Girls Club has had nothing but a tremendously positive impact on my being. As a 16 year old female, trying to find some positives in my life, I entered the Boys & Girls Club as a volunteer to younger children. This experience was the first step towards directing me to a future where I would find satisfaction and success. This volunteer experience taught me a wealth of knowledge (probably more then I provided for those young children), merely because a few amazing staff took the opportunity to get to know me as a person, mentoring me to become a happy, passionate and independent woman. Their stories, lessons and words of encouragement motivated me to go out and make a difference to myself and my community. I quickly involved myself promoting and supporting the Boys and Girls Club at a Provincial and National level, advocating on behalf of children and youth for many social justice causes. To me, it wasn’t enough just to accept my place in this world, I was energized by motivating others to make a difference too.
Following my educational experiences I was drawn back to the Boys & Girls Club, where I had remained a summer staff for several years. It was not a shock that my education took me in the field of recreation and youth work; I had nothing but the most positive female influences in my life, and I really hoped to emulate these awesome women. As a position became vacant at the Boys & Girls Club of Ottawa I was keen to join their team. This was my chance to really facilitate some neat programs that I hoped would strike the passionate interests of the club members. Working with such a diverse group of youth, I quickly realized the importance of being a female role model.
As my life has moved on, I now no longer work for the Boys & Girls Club, but I’m never away for that long. I am fortunate enough to share office space at the Club, while I work for another awesome youth program called the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. I’m satisfied with my job each and every day as I am out encouraging youth to set goals for themselves and their community, and watching them achieve these goals is so rewarding."

Karen Gormley, Regional Field Officer,
Eastern Ontario

"The Integration Program at the Ottawa Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa has made a BIG difference in my son’s life. He was worried when he first joined the club as he has a hard time fitting in with his peers due to his disability. Ben was welcomed by Katie, one of the counsellors working at the Britannia club. He was given a tour of the premises and the rules were explained to him in a clear way.
He enjoyed it at the club as he had Katie to talk to when he was uncertain, and he was welcomed by everyone – he was accepted for the person he is and not judged by his disability. Katie introduced him to the various sports events and allowed him to join in when he was ready – there was never any pressure on him to enter the various activities if he was unsure.
The program helped Ben’s self esteem to grow by leaps and bounds. My son had the self-confidence and assurance to help him cope with his day to day issues. He felt that he was “just one of the boys” and thoroughly enjoyed himself at the Club.
The Planting Seeds Day Camp is another part of the club’s great programs. The day camp had an enormous influence on Ben. He was re-introduced to the Social skills he has been working on throughout his school year. He has attended the day camp for the last two summers and had a great time with the camp counsellors – you have a fantastic team working for you!
Ben did so well this past summer that he was dubbed a “junior counsellor”. The younger kids looked up to him for guidance. His self esteem went through the roof! He felt needed and enjoyed helping the little ones through the more difficult concepts, such as sitting still and quietly through a yoga session.
He now wishes to take the necessary training, once the time comes, to become a camp counsellor so that he too can help children with special needs.
He is looking forward to attending the day camp this coming summer. Keep up the great work!"

Parent
"As a mother of two boys, we are very happy to use the Boys and Girls Club. We have been using the system over 12 years, it is great to have a second home with safe and supervised activity. The Boys and Girls club workers always work very hard to give the best every day to the kids. We are very happy, pleased and thankful to have such activity at the club.
Thank You for everything."

Samar T., Mother of two youth that attend the club
"I like the Boys and Girls Club because it’s a great place to hang out with friends and play games. Everyday we do something new and it’s always something great! The Boys and Girls club is like my second home and I’ve been coming here since I was old enough to come. The staff is very nice and treats you like family. They always brighten up your day with a nice greeting and a kind smile. Whenever I feel down I come to the club and I feel up!"

Daoud S., Bayshore member
"My favourite part was… everything"

MBNA Summer Art Outreach program participant
"Homework Club provides an interactive and fun learning environment for kids. They learn excellent work habits and associate learning with fun! This positive attitude towards learning and the great study habits they develop goes a long way to carrying these kids through future educational endeavours."

Brittany Day, Volunteer
"As police officers, we see first hand how the Boys and Girls Club makes a difference in the community, furthermore, the Police Athletic League (PAL) is an essential piece of the overall success the program is having. The youth involved in PAL tend to have a positive attitude towards police and the community. It is refreshing to see that PAL is positively influencing youth who are our greatest asset to the future of our community."

Mazen Dikah, Ottawa Police Service
"The Ottawa Police Service has full confidence that the Ottawa Community Youth Diversion Program is making a difference in the lives of young people diverted from the formal criminal justice system. OCYDP effectively responds to the needs of a young person as well as the victim ensuring a meaningful and timely response. Our partnership with regards to this initiative is valued and central to our police diversion strategy."

Sgt. Mark Houldsworth, Ottawa Police Service
Youth Intervention & Diversion Section

"In the year that I have been Youth Team Lead for the Ottawa Crown Attorney's office it has been my pleasure to work with the Boys & Girls Club of Ottawa in our combined efforts to provide effective and timely diversion for youth in our community. In my experience, staff at the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa are dedicated professionals committed to providing ongoing services which are responsive to the needs of our community. In my view, our youth are extremely lucky to have such excellent community based programming working on their behalf."

Lisa M. Miles , Assistant Crown Attorney, Youth Team Lead
Crown Attorney's Office
"My behaviour has changed so much and I have a much better attitude compared to when I started. As much as I didn’t want to be in this situation, it has helped me a lot and gave me a pretty big reality check and a better understanding from right and wrong."

17-year old (Diversion) program participant
"The program in my opinion is the best social integration program he has participated in. The Ottawa Boys and Girls Club has demonstrated a true inclusion principle for the children who need social integration support.
The camps and programs are only as good and the counselors and support staff that run the program. In particular with children who require assistance with social integration, consistency, patience and experience of the staff
are paramount.
"Each and every staff member we have met has been nothing short of stellar. They are experienced, caring and professional in their interactions with the children as well as their families. In no small part, this would seem to partially be due to the low turnover of the staff, which creates an opportunity for relations and a community to flourish. The staff have been great in creating opportunities for my child to improve his socialization abilities.
"This is a huge comfort to my family and benefit to my son, since it greatly reduces the anxiety that may accompany trying to arrange a camp for a special needs child.
I feel truly fortunate for the opportunity to attend the Planting Seeds Camp. In my experience, the camp provides a service that is not fulfilled by any other program in the city."
Anna Hwang, Parent
"Our Youth Council is very good for teamwork and leadership. It makes the Boys and Girls Club better and it’s really fun!"

Kyle, 16 year old member
"How soon can I come back ??!!

Just Juniors program participant
"My favourite part of camp was everything...I would have to say that this camp has been the best day camp I have been to in a while. I give it a 20.5 out of 20!"

Planting Seeds camper, age 11
 

Province of Ontario