It is generally recognized that the first established Boys Clubs found their origin in the eastern portion of the United States in the late 1860s.  At the same time, a similar movement was beginning in Great Britain.  The first recognized use of the name “Boys’ Club” was in New Haven, Connecticut and was used to identify a reading room and coffee shop.

The first Boys’ Club originally built as such was the Boys’ Club of New York, established in 1876.  The Cyprus Boys’ Club in England was founded four years earlier, in 1872.  The East End Boys Club of Saint John, New Brunswick, 1900, was the first Boys’ Club in Canada.

Since those days, Boys’ Clubs have become Boys and Girls Clubs and have spread throughout the Western world.  Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada was established as the Boys’ Club Federation of Canada in 1929 and in 1947 changed its name to the Boys’ Clubs of Canada.

In 1974, discussions were initiated to change the name to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada, a recommendation which was adopted shortly thereafter.

In 1981 an extensive evaluation of the National Services was undertaken.  At that time it was determined that direct services to Clubs would be more effectively provided by Regional or Provincial organizations.  As a result, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Ontario was formed and registered as a Society with the Province of Ontario on May 31, 1982.

In 1997, Miramichi Boys and Girls Club was started in our community. Youth Village became the home of Big Brothers Big Sisters; Boys and Girls Club.  Focusing on after school programs for boys and girls ages 6-14, summer camps, training programs, and learning based programs, the Boys and Girls Club operates year round.   Volunteers play a significant role in the success of programs and activities. Ensuring that youth in our community receive quality programs is a priority.