Mission: To inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.
Vision: We envision a safe, fulfilling and fun premier youth development organization that promotes hope and opportunity for all that are involved.
History (2002-2015):
In 2002, Assemblyman John Burzichelli organized a group of 50 local businesses, concerned citizens, and Clergy to open the Boys & Girls Club of Paulsboro. The town donated the Old Italian American Club at 916 Penn Line Road. Senator Steve Sweeney organized a group of volunteers led by then Governor Jon Corzine and his staff to renovate the facility. Sam DeSimone, a prominent area lawyer and District Judge, chaired the first Board of Directors to govern the new organization.
In that same year, a similar call was made by Alvin Shpeen, then Mayor of Glassboro and County Prosecutor. Unfortunately, Alvin died suddenly before he could see the Boys & Girls Club of Glassboro open in 2003. Dan Dalton, a lifelong resident of Glassboro, former Secretary of State and local insurance company owner, put together a group to start the Glassboro Club in Alvin’s honor. From 2002 – 2005 Dan chaired the Board of Directors. Joe Brigandi, also a lifelong resident of Glassboro, County Freeholder, City Councilman and Glassboro Business Administrator, served a Vice Chair from 2002-2005. The Club was first housed in some trailers behind the Glassboro Middle School and within a year a new location was established in a section of the County Library at 2 Center St. Glassboro, NJ.
In 2005, these two organization merged to form the Boys & Girls Clubs of Gloucester County (BGCGC) with Club locations in Glassboro and Paulsboro. Dan continued his Board leadership by serving as Board President though 2007, and today, still serves on the Board along with fellow founding members Theresa DiVietro, Robert Zazzali and Pattie Owens. Theresa, famously orchestrated the biggest fundraisers in the short history of the organization with the “Happening on High” fundraising events.
Jim Daloisio served as Board President from 2007 until 2009 and today, is a current Board Member. Jim is a Paulsboro businessman who owns Rail Road Construction Company. Jim also served as a Board Member and Officer of the Boys & Girls Clubs in New Jersey.
Nick Mitcho served as Board President from 2009 until 2011 and is today, a current Board Member. Nick is also a founding member of BGCGC. He was Superintendent of Glassboro Schools and raised his 5 children in Glassboro where he resides today. In his role as the Chair of our Resource Development Committee, he was instrumental in starting and developing the BGCGC “Swing for Kids” golf fundraiser. During his tenure also, the Glassboro Club moved to a new location at the old Elsmere School at 801 Ellis St. In 2013 the town deeded the facility and property to BGCGC where over 50 children are served each day.
Gary Davis was recruited to BGCGC Board by Nick Mitcho in 2008. From 2012 until 2014 Gary served as Board President leading the organization to develop and grow into the largest youth agency in the County. Under Gary’s leadership BGCGC opened a new location in September of 2013 with a new Woodbury Teen Center.
The Woodbury Teen Center was a 4 year struggle to open. Ray Angelini, Amelia Kressler, Jeff Morris, John Paz and George Wagoner were the key Board members that engaged the community to make the Center a reality. Shortly after the Center’s opening Amelia passed after a short battle with cancer. Amelia was a staunch Board Volunteer and a driving force behind the development of one of the best Volunteer Non- Profit Boards in the County. The current Board has 25 members. The Jeff and George Team put together fundraising activities to raise the funds needed to open the Center. John Paz was engaged by Sam DeSimone, to be the largest individual contributor to the organization and was honored at a dinner to open Woodbury. John also hosted an intimate gathering of major donors. This gathering secured major contributions. The Zidek Family Foundation and Dr. Jim George joined John Paz and Ray Angelini as members of the BGCA Jerimiah Milbank Society donors of more than $10,000. John served as V.P. of the Board and is still a Board Member today. Ray Angelini, a Woodbury resident, came on board in 2012, quickly becoming a major Board Member, contributor and fundraiser.
In 2014, BGCGC was named Non-Profit of the Year by the Gloucester County Chamber of Commerce. On November 20, 2014, the grand opening of the newly renovated 4,000 square feet of basement space at the Paulsboro Center was celebrated. This $420,000 capital improvement project was completed after eight years. This space dedicated as the “Paulsboro Teen Center” can serve between 50-75 teens after school every day. Over the years this project had multiple public and private contributors. Once again, John Paz kept the project alive by matching funds with major contributions and helping to secure a large gift from Paulsboro Refinery Company. Ray Angelini, Chairman of the Board Facilities Committee oversaw the construction project along with committee members Bob Broughton, Jay Cipriani, George Wagoner and Jeff Sanders. Sanders was responsible for bringing John Eppehimer, a local entrepreneur to the project who contributed $250,000 to complete the project.
Theresa DiVietro, also a founding Member of the BGC of Glassboro Board of Directors rejoined the Board to take the leadership role as Board President from 2015 until 2016. In June 2015, she resurrected her creation, the “Happening on High” fundraising event.
BGCGC currently operates three locations in Gloucester County: Glassboro, Paulsboro and Woodbury serving over 1000 children annually.
