Great Futures Start at the Boys & Girls Club of Lancaster

When you walk through the doors of the Boys & Girls Club of Lancaster, you are greeted with a smile. It’s busy. Kids are checking in. Basketballs are bouncing in the gym. Chatter and laughter is erupting amongst friends. And you can’t miss the smell of dinner—a homecooked meal served each night at the Club.

You can tell immediately—this is more than an afterschool program.

Since 1939, for just one dollar per year, children in the Lancaster County community have found life-changing programs at the Club. With three sites in Lancaster City and one in Columbia, Boys & Girls Club of Lancaster serves nearly 2,000 young people each year. Chief Development Officer Erin Elliott explains that dollar gives them access to all Clubhouse programs—from homework help and basketball to snacks and a nutritious meal, every kid who walks through the door belong here.

“Most of the children we serve face a spectrum of adversities—from abject poverty, housing instability, and food insecurity to working parents who are simply unable to afford afterschool care,” Elliott explains. “But when they come to the Club, they are all just kids. They can leave their worries at the door, and every child has the opportunity to choose their own adventure each day.”

Since the start of this school year, the Club has nearly doubled the number of kids who come each day.

“The Club is fueled by the energy of the kids, the talents of the staff and volunteers, and you—the community!” Elliott shared. “Our Clubhouses are primarily funded through donations from individuals—people who believe that all kids deserve a bright future filled with possibility, opportunity, and success.”

Serving more kids will require more resources, but the Club makes it easy for everyone to make a difference. Volunteers can share their time and talents in the Clubs and donors can purchase from Clubhouse wishlists or make donations online.