Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Ohio

As #MentalHealthMonth comes to a close, our Club kids have a reminder for all of us: words matter. Which affirmation spoke to you the most?

Creating brighter futures takes community partnership. Columbus City Council Member Melissa Green recently visited our J. Ashburn Jr. Clubhouse to see firsthand how Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Ohio provides safe spaces and impactful experiences for youth across our nine Columbus Club locations. From hands-on learning to growing in the garden, our members are building skills, confidence, and connections that support long-term success. Visits like these help strengthen understanding of the important role out-of-school time programs play in supporting young people across Central Ohio. Thank you, Councilmember Green, for helping shine a light on the impact happening inside our Clubs.

Before summer kicks off, we’re investing in the people who make Club possible. Today, program staff from across Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Ohio came together to learn, collaborate, strengthen safety practices, and prepare for an impactful summer ahead. Because strong teams help create brighter futures for Club kids.

A strong sense of belonging helps young people thrive. During Spirit Week at our South Side Clubhouse, staff and members participated in “Twin Day,” pairing up to celebrate Club spirit through matching outfits and shared fun. Experiences that encourage connection and community help create environments where young people feel safe, included, and supported, laying the foundation for positive youth development and stronger relationships.

Today, we honor and remember the brave service members who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. In observance of Memorial Day, all Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Ohio locations are closed today. We hope our Club families, staff, and community have a safe and meaningful holiday as we take time to reflect and remember.

Ending the week on a high note. 🎶 We love celebrating moments like these, where young people have the confidence to step into the spotlight and share their talents. Shoutout to this talented member from our J. Ashburn Jr. Club for shining during the end-of-year school talent show. Experiences like these are a reminder that when young people have safe spaces, encouragement, and supportive relationships, confidence grows. Wishing everyone a happy Friday and a meaningful Memorial Day weekend. https://lnkd.in/g_3B9UE8

Learning comes to life through hands-on experiences. Recently, at our Champion Companies Milo-Grogan Clubhouse, Club members combined art and STEM through a creative “Snow in May” experiment. Youth explored sensory play, experimented with color and design, and engaged with simple science concepts in a fun and approachable way. Experiences like these help build creativity, confidence, problem-solving skills, and positive connections to STEM learning, all key ingredients in unlocking brighter futures.

On Wednesdays, we wear green. 💚 This Mental Health Month, our Louella Hodges Reese Clubhouse staff in Newark are wearing green to show support for mental wellness and remind us all that caring for ourselves and each other matters.

Last Friday, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Ohio celebrated our Class of 2026 during Senior Graduation + Teen Night, recognizing an important milestone and the journeys that led our seniors here. Our graduates are stepping into exciting next chapters, including college, military service, the skilled trades, apprenticeships, the workforce, and other pathways toward great futures. Every path is different, and every one deserves celebration. At Boys & Girls Clubs, we know success looks different for every young person. What matters most is ensuring they have the support, opportunities, confidence, and caring adults to help them reach their goals. Congratulations to the Class of 2026. We are proud of all you’ve accomplished and excited to see what comes next. Because when Club kids graduate, communities grow stronger. #AmericaGraduatesWithClubKids #CentralOhioGraduatesWithClubKids #ClassOf2026

Today, we celebrate what comes next. Graduation is more than a milestone. It marks the beginning of new opportunities, future careers and lifelong impact. Nationally, more than 400,000 teens in Boys & Girls Clubs report feeling prepared to start their careers. Through mentorship, workforce readiness and life-enriching experiences, Clubs help young people build confidence for what’s ahead. As we prepare for tonight’s graduation celebration for 40 of our own seniors, we are proud to honor the achievements of our Club youth and celebrate the bright futures in front of them. We’re also grateful to Panda Cares for supporting academic success and helping young people prepare for graduation and the opportunities ahead. Central Ohio graduates with Club kids.