The boards of directors of two of the nation's most successful Boys & Girls Clubs voted earlier this month to consolidate into one organization, making them the largest single Boys & Girls Club in Texas.
By joining forces, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Fort Worth and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Arlington will collectively increase their impact on the combined 21,446 youth currently served and expand to meet the needs of even more youth.
Following months of careful discussions, the board leadership of the organizations agreed that in order to best serve the increasing demands of kids and teens in the Greater Tarrant County area, a different and innovative approach to operating the remarkably similar, yet independent organizations made sense for the mission.
"By combining resources, we can focus more effectively on improving the quality of our services and the reach of our mission," says John Broude, chairman of the Board of Directors, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Fort Worth.
Both organizations sought to preserve their legacies and rich history in Fort Worth and Arlington by securing a strong plan for the future. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Fort Worth was established in 1926 as the Panther Boys Club. Later, in 1935 the Fort Worth Boys Club was created. The two organizations merged in 1990 to become the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Fort Worth. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Arlington was established as the Arlington Boys Club in 1959. With generous community support from organizations like the Ladies Auxiliary, the Arlington organization has continued to meet the needs of boys and girls in its service area. In 1991, the organization officially became the Boys & Girls Clubs of Arlington.
"Because our Boys & Girls Clubs are located where the kids and teens need us, in their communities and schools, this consolidation uniquely provides the benefits of combining resources without losing a strong local presence," reports Mike Gerro, board chairman of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Arlington.
The merger will be effective in October 2018, and the new organization will be called the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County. Daphne Barlow Stigliano, the current CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Fort Worth, will be the CEO of the combined organization. Steve Wurm, the current CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Arlington, will be the Executive Vice President. The efficiency gains will be reinvested back into the mission, and no employee reductions will take place as a result of the merger. Once the merger is effective, more opportunities to learn about the organization's vision for the future will be available.
About the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Fort Worth
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Fort Worth provides enriching programs for youth from disadvantaged circumstances to develop the qualities needed to become responsible citizens. The Club's eight locations and 28 programs in the community and schools serve more than 12,000 youth in the Fort Worth area. For more information about the Clubs visit www.fortworthkids.org.
About the Boys & Girls Clubs of Arlington
Boys & Girls Clubs of Arlington provides enriching programs for youth who need us most to develop the qualities needed to become responsible citizens. The Club's fourteen locations in the community and schools serve more than 9,000 youth in the Arlington and Mansfield area. For more information about the Clubs visit www.bgcarlington.org.
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