To enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.

In every community, boys and girls are left to find their own recreation and companionship in the streets. An increasing number of children are at home with no adult care or supervision. Young people need to know that someone cares about them.  Boys & Girls Clubs offer that and more. Club programs and services promote and enhance the development of boys and girls by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging and influence. Boys & Girls Clubs are a safe place to learn and grow – all while having fun. They are truly The Positive Place For Kids.

JIM CLARK, PRESIDENT & CEO

As the eleventh president and CEO of BGCA since its founding in 1906, Jim Clark leads the nation’s largest facility-based youth development organization. With 4,300 locations countrywide and BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide, Clubs provide children and teenagers with safe environments, caring adult mentors, fun, friendship and high-impact youth development programs during critical non-school hours. With over 60,000 full- and part-time employees and 200,000 board and program volunteers combined, Clubs serve 4 million youth annually through membership and outreach. BGCA programs help young people achieve academic success, develop strong character and lead healthy lifestyles.

Prior to joining BGCA in 2012, Jim served the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee as president and CEO for eight years. In this role, he led the development of a dynamic growth and impact agenda, launching innovative programs that drove outcomes in literacy, high school graduation, teen services and college preparation. Under his leadership, the organization achieved seven consecutive years of revenue growth, added 17 service locations, more than doubled personnel and saw significant growth in average daily attendance by youth. The Milwaukee organization’s work in literacy was so effective, the U.S. Department of Education awarded it a $4.1 million Investing in Innovation grant to take it to a broader scale.

Before entering public service, Jim worked in publishing within the areas of distribution, marketing and customer service operations. This included managing business development, leading acquisitions and mergers, and overseeing process improvement initiatives. Jim holds a Bachelor of Business Administration, with a major in finance and marketing, from the University of Wisconsin. He, his wife, Samantha, and their two sons reside in Atlanta.