Two local chapters of the Boys and Girls Clubs are merging.
The Boys & Girls Club of the Suncoast and the Boys & Girls Club of Tampa Bay will become one of the largest nonprofit after-school providers in Florida and one of the biggest Boys & Girls Clubs mergers in the organization’s history, according to a new release.
The merger will combine the services of both organizations and follows a shared service agreement that has been in place over the last year. Through the agreement, both organizations have streamlined administrative functions, helping to reduce operational costs and expand services for children and families in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties, the release said.
“By coming together, we are not only expanding our capacity to serve more youth but also enhancing the quality and diversity of our programs,” said Freddy Williams, president and CEO for Boys & Girls Club of the Suncoast and Boys & Girls Club of Tampa Bay in a statement. “This partnership will allow us to leverage our collective strengths and reflects our shared commitment to empowering the next generation and making a lasting impact on the lives of children and families across the Tampa Bay region.”
The combined organization will have an annual operating budget of $23 million, which will allow for an expansion of programming and services. Since November last year, attendance has increased to 3,000 kids and teens served daily over 42 locations, the release said. Another 30,000 young people are being reached through Boys & Girls Clubs outreach and programming related to opioid prevention, emotional wellness, feeding and workforce development.
“Bringing our two organizations together feels like a natural step forward for all of us,” said Elizabeth Constantine, board chairperson for Boys & Girls Club of the Suncoast in a statement. “By joining forces, we’re building a foundation that will support young people across our community, opening doors to opportunities that help them feel seen, supported, and excited about their futures.”
Both organizations will continue to operate programs that children in the community are familiar with, like after-school tutoring, mentorship, sports and recreation and workforce readiness training. A rollout of the new combined organization will launch in June. A new name for the combined chapter has not been announced.
“This merger is about so much more than just combining two organizations,” said Edwin Narain, board chairperson for Boys & Girls Club of Tampa Bay. “It’s about making sure every child in our community has a place where they feel they belong and can dream big.”