OUR STORY
In 1860, four women in Hartford, Connecticut recognized a serious problem and came together to do something about it. Countless youth, especially young boys, were orphaned or left alone while their parents worked and many were living on the streets of major cities. Elizabeth Hammersley, Louisa Bushnell and sisters Mary & Alice Goodwin led a community effort to give them a warm, safe sanctuary: the first Boys’ Club.
What started as a room with a donated piano and books gradually grew into a center of education and hope. The “Goodwill Club” was unique at the time for welcoming all boys regardless of religion or ethnicity. Led by Mary Hall, Connecticut’s first female lawyer, Boys’ Clubs spread across the US and joined together in 1931 to form what would become the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
From their earliest days, the clubs were inclusive, nonpartisan and forward-thinking. They have served as safe, welcoming places full of tutoring and education programs, sports, art & music classes, and other opportunities. Most importantly, Boys & Girls Clubs are a place for kids to discover and develop their inherent talents so they can achieve better futures.
Mission and Vision
Our Mission
To enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens
Our Vision
Empowering youth through ladders of opportunity.
Our History in Santa Barbara
In 1938, leaders in Santa Barbara recognized a need for a community youth center. Too many young boys had no place to go outside of school so local firefighters stepped up to turn their old station into the Boys’ Club of Santa Barbara. What is now the Downtown Boys & Girls Club was completed in 1947 after a large community effort by local philanthropists, tradesmen, government leaders, and families. This club was always known for its athletic programs, with alumni like NBA Laker Jamaal Wilkes and NFL players Randall and Sam Cunningham.
Additional club sites under a sister organization were gradually built on the westside of Santa Barbara and in Goleta, Carpinteria, Lompoc, Buellton, and Solvang. What started with a dozen boys in an old building turned into a countywide network of clubs with thousands of members. In 2020, all club sites merged together to form the United Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County (UBGC). Every individual club has a remarkable history that could fill volumes, but all have essentially the same broad pattern: an alliance of forward-thinking and kind people joining together to help create better futures for local youth.
What We Believe In
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The #1 priority of UBGC is safety. To us this means safety from bullying and physical harm but also safety to speak up, hold different beliefs, and be creative without judgment. Regardless of what is happening at home, school, or in the outside world, the Clubs should be an open-minded and welcoming sanctuary for everyone.
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Every program is meant to be age-appropriate, voluntary, and enjoyable. One of our primary goals is to make learning fun so that kids will go from seeing it as a chore to viewing it as enjoyable and beneficial. Members should not want to leave when they get picked up (even if their parents are slightly annoyed).
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When we ask former Club kids what they remember most about the Boys & Girls Club, they usually mention at least one adult mentor or coach who helped them or even changed their life. These spontaneous bonds of trust and friendship are vital, giving kids the support they need to stay motivated and pursue their dreams.
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To match the wide variety of human knowledge and opportunities out there in the world, UBGC offers a broad range of learning and growth opportunities. We also try to teach ethics and develop moral character through our programs, with staff setting high expectations for behavior and character.
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Boys & Girls Clubs should recognize the achievements of members and instill a drive to better themselves and others. Even what may seem like small achievements can add up to long-term success with the right motivation and support from others. Through athletics, incentivized learning activities, Youth of the Year, and program activities, Boys & Girls Clubs showcase and reward achievements.
Club 105
A UGBC special recognition program aimed at applauding our members for consistent attendance and fostering a deeper impact. The name “Club 105” is derived from national statistics revealing that a child attending a Boys & Girls Club for a 105 days in a calendar year is twice as likely to graduate on time and lead a healthy lifestyle. At the halfway point, 52 days, we host a ceremony awarding silver membership cards, granting special privileges at the local club. Upon reaching 105 days, members receive Gold Cards with enhanced privileges and are announced at city council meetings in each community. Remarkably, those attending 200 days or more receive Blue membership cards, entitling them to a free membership for the next year and the ability to gift a membership to a friend. This prestigious recognition is presented at our Annual Meeting, where key donors and supporters have the honor of bestowing these special blue cards.
