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  • Home
  • About Us
    • Alumni
    • Contact Us
    • Join our team
    • Volunteer
    • Leadership >
      • Board of Directors
      • Associate Board
    • Privacy Policy
  • Programs
    • Out of School Program >
      • Cubbies Program
      • Bateman
      • Cleveland
      • Bell Walking
      • Coonley Walking
      • Linne
      • NBGC Clubhouse
    • Spring Break Camp
    • Summer Camp
    • Athletic Programs >
      • Spring (Registration Open)
      • Winter II
      • Winter I
      • Fall
      • Summer
      • Year-Round Karate
    • Youth Leadership Program
  • News & Updates
    • NBGC Blog
    • Alumni Chatter
    • Monkeyshines
  • Events
    • Past Events 2022 >
      • Drop & Shop
      • Giving Tuesday 2022
      • Thanksgiving 2022
      • Lucky Date Raffle 2022
      • Hall of Fame 2022
      • Bears Bash 2022
      • Golf Outing
      • Cubs Night
      • Leaders of the Future Celebration
    • Past Events 2021 >
      • Easter Scramble 5K
      • Lucky Date Raffle 2021
      • Hall of Fame 2021
      • Kiwanis Drop Off Donations 2021
      • Golf Outing 2021
      • Fun Run 2021
      • Leaders of the Future 2021
    • Past Events 2020 >
      • Giving Season 2020 >
        • Impacting the Future
        • Turkey Bowl >
          • Football Pictures
          • Soccer & Cheer Pictures
          • Monkeyshines
        • Building a Home
        • The War Years
      • Lucky Date Raffle 2020
      • Golf Outing 2020
      • NBGC's 5K Fun Run
  • Donate Now

Building a Home

The story of the Neighborhood Boys & Girls Club’s clubhouses is about so much more than brick and mortar. NBGC has always strived to be a “home away from home” for our members and their families.  With the generous support of our founder, Robert Buehler, these treasured places have been built and taken care of by kids, staff, parents, alumni and the community.   
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There is an 89-year history of our building, starting with our founding in 1931. The first steps of creating the NBGC happened in a garage. Today, our building consists of two offices, a community room, a game room, a small gym, three large classrooms and athletic fields. Our building has acted as a second home to thousands of members. From fundraisers to improvements, equipment, and fresh paint, each generation leaves their mark on the building, leaving it better than they found it.
Give Now!

1931
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​When the NBC started in October of 1931 it did not have a clubhouse.  Meetings for the original members were in Dick Valentin’s garage.  After the first football season, Robert Buehler (NBC founder) and John O’Shea (River Park Commission) met and agreed that the NBC could have the cottage (located at the corner of Irving and Campbell).
Valentin Memoirs Excerpt
09-18-1934 Monkeyshine ​Excerpt
06-19-1937 Monkeyshine ​Excerpt

1950
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The little cottage had started showing its age.  The clubhouse was closed for significant repairs in 1950, ​just like the current building is experience today!
​07-10-1950 Monkeyshine
Old Club closes 3 months for steel beams
09-18-1950 Monkeyshine
​Club reopens
09-25-1950 Monkeyshine
Comments about repairs
​11-06-1951 Monkeyshine
Boiler condemned / no water no electricity 

1957
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Construction of the current clubhouse began in spring of 1957 and was completed about a year later. While Robert Buehler would once again provide significant financial support, funding for the new clubhouse was a result of the significant efforts of NBC family and friends.  Funds were raised in many ways, including going door to door to get the entire community involve.  The funding initiative lead to the start of the Club’s famous carnival.
03-22-1954 Monkeyshine -
​Announcement of 1st carnival for new Club
03-11-1957 Monkeyshine -
New Club fundraiser
09-07-1954 Monkeyshine -
​1st carnival a success, will become annual
03-25-1957 Monkeyshine -
Fundraiser details
08-15-1955 Monkeyshine -
2nd carnival gross $13000
04-08-1957 Monkeyshine -
$ 7399.96 so far
 Funding initiatives included the NBC Carnival
05-27-1957 Monkeyshine -
Groundbreaking
06-03-1957 Monkeyshine -
 Groundbreaking attendees
06-24-1957 Monkeyshine -
Danger big hole in ground
After raising enough in funds, construction on the Clubhouse began.

1958
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The “new” clubhouse opens for business! It has since served thousands of kids, their family and friends, and has been the site of countless events.  This is the building that still stands today, having been the center of the club’s operations for over 60 years.

1997
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The NBC becomes the NBGC! The signs on the side of the building were changed,
welcoming boys and girls into the clubhouse.
Picture
Sign 1957
Picture
Current Sign

2011
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The building started showing its age in 2010, leading to the 80th Anniversary Capital Campaign.  That initiative started a multi-phase renovation.  The first projects included the roof, ADA compliant restroom facilities and the jewel of the neighborhood, the “small gym”.
01-27-1958 Monkeyshine -
Open in 2 weeks, rules, meaning
02-03-1958 Monkeyshine -
​New club floor plan
 02-10-1958 Monkeyshine -
​All meetings in new Club.pdf
03-17-1958 Monkeyshine -
​1st tournament ping pong
03-31-1958Monkeyshine -
​New club open house 4.7 thru 4.11

2020
​

The clubhouse closes for renovations. The 2011 Capital Campaign had more on its wish list that NBGC wasn’t able to attend to. Through the coordinated efforts of the NBGC, the Park District, and Alderman Matt Martin, NBGC was able to receive additional TIF funding to pursue more improvements.   These funds allow for the remodeling that started this past September.  The clubhouse will soon enjoy a new HVAC system, new windows and outside doors. To continue to serve NBGC’s members, a temporary site was setup at 4020 N. Rockwell.
Work is being done at the clubhouse.
NBGC is still serving our members at a temporary location on Rockwell Street.
Over the generations, each member has played a vital role in the upkeep of NBGC. Alumni, parents, leaders, and staff members have taken the reins on cleaning, building, designing, and fundraising in order for the clubhouse to continue serving kids in the community.
Giving Month 2020
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All services rendered by NBGC are provided on a non-refundable basis. The Neighborhood Boys & Girls Club is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, independent organization founded in 1931, dedicated to youth development. EIN# 36-2139256. All donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.