Our Alumni
Founded in 1868, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Providence is the nation’s longest continually operating Boys & Girls Club. For nearly 140 years, we have been America’s leader in providing children living in difficult circumstances with the opportunity to receive quality services in safe and fun environments. We have thousands of prominent and successful alumni in Rhode Island and around the world.
How important was the Club to our alumni? An independent survey of alumni, conducted by Louis Harris & Associates, verifies that Boys & Girls Clubs widely benefit young people through effective programs that foster self-confidence, a sense of belonging and hope for the future.
Alumni stated that Club staff had a positive effect on their lives in many critical ways, including saving their lives (52%), teaching them right from wrong (80%), increasing self-confidence (79%) and self-esteem (78%), and learning good leadership skills (72%). In addition, the Club helped them avoid difficulty with the law (70%), provided someone to talk to (69%), helped them set goals and aspirations (64%), and assisted them in succeeding in high school (56%).
We are very fortunate to have over 50,000 living alumni throughout the state of Rhode Island, many of whom credit the Boys and Girls Clubs in part for their success. To get involved as an alumnus/a of the Boys & Girls Club of Providence, email dbodah@bgcprov.org or complete the Share Your Story form at the bottom of this page.
Alumni Spotlight
Solomon A.Solomon
For 75 years, Mr. Solomon A. Solomon has called the Boys and Girls Club home. Joining the "Boys Club" when he was 5, "Sol" is one of our oldest living alumni. He credits the Club for instilling in him the values of "respect, honesty and integrity." He fondly remembers the Club for teaching him how to swim, bowl, play finger pool, and learn woodworking skills.
In a career spanning over 60 years, Mr. Solomon has positively affected the lives of tens of thousands of children across Rhode Island and around the world. A member of the Fox Point Branch Hall of Fame and Boys and Girls Club of Providence's Board of Governors, Mr. Solomon is fond of saying "until you have given of yourself, you have not truly given."
Did you attend the Club growing up?
If you were a member of the Boys and Girls Club, we want to hear from you: