On February 10, 2026, the Connecticut Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs gathered at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford to introduce legislation formally recognizing Connecticut as the birthplace of the Boys & Girls Clubs movement in America. The effort highlights a powerful legacy that began in Hartford in 1860 and continues to shape the lives of young people across the state and the nation.
The Boys & Girls Clubs movement was born during a time of major change, as Connecticut communities were reshaped by the Industrial Revolution. While factories and mills brought economic growth, they also created significant challenges for working families, especially children who were left without safe places to go after school. In response, a group of civic-minded women in Hartford, including Elizabeth Hammersley, Louisa Bushnell, and sisters Mary and Alice Goodwin, began inviting boys living in disadvantaged circumstances into their homes for warmth, refreshments, and supervision.
What started as a simple act of kindness soon evolved into something much larger. Their efforts grew into the Dashaway Club, widely recognized as the nation’s first organized Boys Club offering a daily, out-of-school program. The idea quickly spread throughout Connecticut, with Boys Clubs forming in cities such as New Haven, Bridgeport, Waterbury, Meriden, and New Britain by the late 1800s. These early Clubs shared a common belief: investing in young people through mentorship, education, recreation, and positive alternatives to the streets strengthens entire communities.
That belief took firm root in Greenwich in 1910, when the Boys Club of Greenwich was founded. For more than a century, the Club has been a constant presence for local youth, providing a safe, supportive environment where young people can learn, grow, and reach their full potential. Today, the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich proudly continues this legacy of service, mentorship, and opportunity for generations of families.
In 1906, representatives from 53 independent Boys Clubs, many from Connecticut and the Northeast, came together to form a national organization, establishing a shared mission that would guide the movement for generations. In 1990, the organization formally expanded to include girls, reinforcing its commitment to serve all young people.
“This legislation recognizes Connecticut’s unique role in launching a movement rooted in compassion and opportunity,” said State Representative Matt Blumenthal (D–Stamford). “What began here continues to change lives across the country. As a proud board member of Stamford’s Boys & Girls Club, I’ve seen firsthand how this organization helps young people reach their full potential and contribute to their communities.”
Today, that legacy remains strong. Across Connecticut, 14 Boys & Girls Clubs operate at 57 Club sites, serving more than 36,000 young people each year. Clubs focus on promoting academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles, preparing youth for college, careers, and lifelong success.
“When school’s out, Clubs are in,” said Don Maleto, CEO of the Connecticut Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs. “For more than 165 years, Boys & Girls Clubs have been a constant presence for young people, evolving with the times while staying true to the belief that every child deserves opportunity, support, and a place to belong.”
As legislators consider this historic recognition, the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich is proud to stand as part of a movement that began in Hartford, took root in Greenwich in 1910, and continues to change lives every day.
