Who We Are
Since 196..
For over 55 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of Bay County has been at the forefront of youth development, working with young people from disadvantaged economic, social, and family circumstances.
The Boys’ Club of Bay County was founded in 1965 and was originally located at the old Armory on Sixth Street. Some of the original 41 Board Members included:
Julian Bennett
Tom Haney
Dr. John Benton
Ray Holloway
Dr. Clell Warriner
Isaac Byrd
J. W. Silcox Jr.
Earl Hadaway
Don L. Brookins
We officially became Boys & Girls Clubs of Bay County in 1991.
In 1975, the Club moved to the new CC Moore Facility at 3404 West 19th Street, which is currently our largest location. This building was made possible by the generous gift of Vivian Moore. After her passing in 2008, the facility was renamed in her honor. This property also includes a pool, bathhouse, picnic area & flag football field.
Thanks to a gift made by Charlie Hilton, we constructed and opened the L Charles Hilton Activity Center on the grounds of our CC Moore facility in 1996.
Also in 1996, with the help of Joe Chapman & the Panama City Housing Authority, we constructed and opened the Joseph F. Chapman Boys & Girls Club in Millville.
In 1998, we opened the Frank Brown Beach Unit at Frank Brown Park thanks to the help of the Panama City Beach City Commission & Police Chief JB Holloway.
In October 2018, Hurricane Michael devastated Bay County and the surrounding areas of the Panhandle. The Club’s Chapman Unit and Administrative Office were destroyed, and the CC Moore Unit and Hilton Teen Center were severely damaged. The Beach Unit was undamaged and was able to return to operation just two weeks after the storm. Since then, the Club has worked hard to overcome many obstacles and provide services for local families.
In January 2019, CC Moore/Hilton and Chapman reopened temporarily at Bay District Schools facilities to offer afterschool and summer programs while the Clubs rebuild. Also in January 2019, a brand-new site was opened at Waller Elementary in Youngstown thanks to a 21st Century Community Learning Center grant.
In the fall of 2020, the Club opened a new extension site at Tyndall Academy to serve middle school students. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Clubs maintained contact with families and re-opened safely to support Club members throughout these unprecedented times.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Bay County has produced four State Youths of the Year in the past 30 years, including Area Director Justin Ward. In 2000, Club member Joseph Hall was selected from more than 3.5 million young people as the national organization’s Youth of the Year. Two of our five full-time staff grew up as members of our Club, and over a dozen former members have become career professionals with other BGCA organizations across the country.
Executive Directors
Errol Sewell – 1966-1968
Later served as interim President of Boys & Girls Clubs of America
Joe Grammer – 1968-1971
Went on to work with the Bay County School Board
Walt Hall – 1971-1986
Left to take over the Citrus Center Boys’ Club
Danny Lyons – 1987-1988
Retired as Executive Director of the Florida Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs
Paul Mosca – 1990-2015
Retired
Hank Hill – 2015-Present
What We Do
Safety is Fundamental
At Boys & Girls Clubs of Bay County, we practice safe behaviors, take action to put safety first, and speak up to ensure both the physical and emotional safety of others. We recognize that for many of the children we serve, the world can be a perilous place and that our Clubs represent a safe haven. Thus, from the layout and features of our physical Club space to the careful screening and training of our staff and volunteers, safety is central to every facet of Club life.
We’re committed to providing:
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A safe, positive environment (encompassing both physical and emotional safety)
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Youth development experts trained in social-emotional learning and trauma informed care
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Innovative, stringent safety policies that protect the physical and emotional well being of our young people
Ensuring the Safety of our Club Members
At Boys & Girls Clubs, we incorporate national safety standards and work with community partners to consistently strengthen our safety programming through new trainings.
Required Immediate Reporting
Boys & Girls Clubs of Bay County staff and volunteers are all mandated reporters. We are required to report any critical incident/safety concern to local authorities immediately. We are also required to report any critical incident to Boys & Girls Clubs of America within 24 hours.
Facilities
Each site completes an annual mandatory safety assessment using a defined online tool.
Training & Tools
Each year, staff receive training on the requirements of being a Mandated Reporter, how to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to childhood sexual abuse, First Aid/CPR, Supervision of Children and more. In cases where a child has experienced trauma in their personal life, our Club staff works to arrange professional counseling services to aid the child’s recovery.
Background Checks
Mandatory Level-2 criminal background checks, which include fingerprinting, are required for every employee, volunteer, and board member who has direct contact with children. Background checks are conducted before any adult is allowed contact with our Club members and are repeated every year.
Policies
Our Safety Policies & Procedures outline clear steps to prevent safety issues and concerns.
For instance:
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All Visitors must sign in and out of the facility
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No parent or visitor is allowed to walk through facility without escort
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Anyone picking up a child from our Clubs must be on the approved list
Details
| (850) 573-5606 | |
| ceo@bgcbayfl.org | |
| Hank Hill | |
| CEO | |
| http://www.bgcbayfl.org |
