Our Mission
The Mission of the Martha’s Vineyard Boys & Girls Club is to provide quality programs, education, and services to the Island-wide youth population that will prepare them for healthy and productive lives through professionally developed programs that help to develop self-esteem, leadership skills, personal values, and mutual respect, in fun and safe environments.
History
Founded
1937 Founded as the Edgartown Boys Club in what was referred to as the Country Store Read more
Joined Boys Clubs of America
1938 Became a chartered member of Boys Clubs of America, and moved to School Street in Edgartown Read more Moved to Current Location
April 1978 Moved to our current location at 44 Robinson Road in Edgartown Read more 
Became the Martha’s Vineyard Boys & Girls Club
1985 Became the Martha’s Vineyard Boys & Girls Club Read more 
First Development Director Named, Barbara Welsh
1987 Barbara Welsh was named First Development Director Read more 
Jessie Damroth named Chief Executive Officer
September 2016 Jessie Damroth joins the Club as Chief Executive Officer Read more Affiliation
The Martha’s Vineyard Boys & Girls Club is a charter member of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Each local Boys & Girls Club is independently governed and funded, following guidelines and operation standards set by the national organization. Collaboratively, Boys & Girls Clubs serve over 4 million youth in over 4 thousand locations across the country and on US military bases worldwide.
Our 5 Core Program Areas
- The Arts
- Character & Leadership
- Education & Career
- Health & Life Skills
- Sports, Fitness & Recreation
Unique Characteristics of a Boys & Girls Club
- Clubs are community-based and building-centered.
- Clubs provide a safe, affordable place for young people during after school hours and during the summer.
- Clubs are led by caring, paid, and trained youth development professionals.
Boys & Girls Clubs provide young people with
- A safe place to spend time during non-school hours & the summer as an alternative to the streets or being home alone.
- A chance to play, have fun, laugh and learn.
- Opportunities to build new skills that raise each child’s belief that he or she can succeed and receive recognition for personal accomplishments
- Ongoing relationships with caring adults & connections to new friends in a positive environment reinforcing a sense of belonging, personal accountability, civility and civic responsibility.
- Generation-changing programs that support a commitment to learning, positive values, healthy habits & high expectations for success as an adult