Boys & Girls Club Blog

June 8, 2021

On Sunday, June 6^th, the Boys & Girls Club of Oshkosh proudly celebrated 50 years of serving the youth of Oshkosh and their families by hosting a Block Party, presented by Amcor and CR Meyer, outside the Club.

During the event, CEO Tracy Ogden unveiled the exciting news of the Club’s plans to expand and remodel the building, located at 501 E. Parkway. The 5-part capital project will allow the Club to provide services to more families. The new addition will include a community center for other local agencies to come together and collaborate, a second-floor teen space (for ages 13-18) separate from the elementary and middle school age children, and a new administrative wing. Classroom space in the Radford Center side of the building (for ages 6-10) will be expanded and double the number of children the classrooms can serve to 80. The Club’s current Teen Center will be renovated along with the current administrative offices and become a program space for middle school age children (ages 10-12). In addition, a second gym and a new outdoor space including a new playground, a courtyard, and an all-purpose field will be added to better accommodate the 300 plus children the Club serves daily.

“I am proud to be involved with the capital campaign for the new building expansion,” said Mark Lasky, Campaign Chair at Boys & Girls Club of Oshkosh. “It has been 17 years since our last major campaign and this project will increase the services we can offer our children and families through agency collaboration and partnerships. This project increases our capacity to serve and propels the Boys & Girls Club of Oshkosh into the future.”

Countless youth and families have been impacted by the Club in the past five decades and Block Party on Broad was a day to reunite alumni and friends to share memories and commemorate the Club’s amazing history. The Club also honored Director of Facilities, Jamie Wilcox for his 51 years of dedication to the Club, since he became a member at age 10.

“In 1970, a group of local leaders formed what would become today’s Boys & Girls Club of Oshkosh, said Jeff Trembly, Board President at Boys & Girls Club of Oshkosh. “The purpose was to keep kids off the streets and out of trouble while providing a safe and positive place where they could have fun. Although our community has changed, and the needs of kids have evolved over those years, our mission of helping kids has remained constant throughout. We thank our community partners, volunteers, and donors for their tremendous past support that has allowed us to build new buildings, grow, and thrive over those 50 years, and look forward to making a difference in kids’ lives now and in the future with your continued help. “