About Us

Boys & Girls Clubs of Columbus gives young people the support, guidance, tools, and skills to succeed in life. We provide comprehensive, affordable afterschool and summer programming for youth ages 6 through 18. Membership costs just $5 per child per year and entitles youth to unlimited Club access. It is a place where great futures are started each and every day

Our History

  1. 1948

    The Boys & Girls Clubs of Columbus, then called the Westside Boys Club, was founded to give boys from the Franklinton and Hilltop communities a safe alternative to hanging out on the streets.

  2. 1955

    Columbus’ second Club, the Milo-Grogan Boys Club, opened on Cleveland Avenue to serve youth from the Milo-Grogan neighborhood.

  3. 1970’s

    The Westside and Milo-Grogan Boys Clubs began allowing girls to join as official members.

  4. 1990

    The organization officially changed its name to Boys & Girls Clubs of Columbus. 1990 also marked the completions of the Westside Club renovation creating a 12,000-square-foot teen center.

  5. 2008

    Milo-Grogan rennovations were completed adding important amenities like air conditioning and separate program spaces for juniors and teens.

  6. 2010

    Boys & Girls Clubs of Columbus entered into a partnership with KIPP Journey Academy to serve an additional 200 youth at the KIPP-Connect Boys & Girls Club.

  7. 2013

    The Ohio Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs received a state grant allowing Boys & Girls Clubs of Columbus to open the R.I.S.E. and South Side Boys & Girls Clubs.

  8. 2014

    Boys & Girls Clubs of Columbus partnered with Homeport Ohio to open the Pheasant Run Club and Metro Early College Middle School to open the UA/Metro Club.

  9. 2016

    The Westside Boys & Girls Club relocated from Franklinton to the Hilltop neighborhood to better serve youth and was renamed the J. Ashburn Jr. Club.

  1. 1948
  2. 1955
  3. 1970’s
  4. 1990
  5. 2008
  6. 2010
  7. 2013
  8. 2014
  9. 2016

Our Impact

The positive impact the Clubs have on youth in Columbus is impossible to ignore. Great Futures Start HERE!

  • In 2017, Boys & Girls Clubs of Columbus served over 5,900 youth.

  • Older teens with an optimal Club experience are 40% more likely to be on-track to graduate from high school.

  • 54% of alumni said the Club saved their life.

  • Graduating Club members are twice as likely to be interested in STEM careers than their peers nationally.

  • $1 invested in Boys & Girls Clubs equates to $9.60 in economic benefits to the individual and society.

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Our Leadership Team

  • Garry Adaway
    Associate Director, Club Programs & Operations

    The world’s greatest everything.

  • Lisa Arlt
    Finance Director

    Dreams of being the first accountant on Dancing With the Stars.

  • Rebecca Asmo
    CEO

    Will challenge anyone to a push-up competition.

  • Hilary Blakemore
    Chief Development Officer

    Never met an animal she didn’t love.

  • Ryan Brownfield
    Chief Operating Officer

    Currently ranked #4 in worldwide sandwich artistry.

  • Corey Burdine
    Associate Director, Programs & Club Operations

    Loves to binge-watch competitive cooking shows.

  • Mallory Conlin
    Executive Support Specialist

    Took off a week of work to attend five One Direction concerts.

  • Daniel Custer
    Director of Programs & Club Operations

    World-renowned music playlist curator.

  • Carly Damman
    Grants Coordinator

    Never grows tired of running, traveling the world, and ice cream.

  • Nande Gilbert
    Manager of Programs & Youth Engagement

    The world's best ukulele-playing hat-maker.

  • Taylor Hallowell
    Annual Giving Officer

    Contributed to the 2003 world record of “Longest Consecutive Line of Hershey Kisses.”

  • Jac’quese Hargrove
    Senior Youth Engagement Strategist

    Born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee.

  • Michaela Kim
    Associate Director, Programs & Club Operations

    Future curler in the 2022 Winter Olympics.

  • Julie Kirk
    Marketing & Special Events Coordinator

    Slept soundly through an F3 tornado.

  • David Koeppen
    Maintenance Coordinator

    A jack of all trades.

  • Markeisha Mason
    Associate Director, Programs & Club Operations

    Is never late, just early for tomorrow.

  • Mary Miller, PhD
    Director of Academic Success & Innovation

    60% Gryffindor, 40% Ravenclaw.

  • Elizabeth Moody
    Manager of Programs & Youth Engagement

     

     

    Living proof that women can enjoy math & science AND art & literature.

  • Ashley Estep
    Associate Director, Programs & Club Operations

    Will dominate anyone in a 3-point shooting competition.

  • Tyshayla Reed
    Director of Team Development

    Has gorgeous feet.

  • Lacey Salas
    Associate Director, Programs & Club Operations

    Not in Kansas anymore.

  • Arielle Scott
    Associate Director, Programs & Club Operations

    Dreams of living in a tiny house in the woods.

  • Ashley Shydlowski
    Academic Fellow

    Can shoot an arrow better than a basketball.

  • Kelly Simmons
    Youth Engagement Strategist

    Originally a hockey fan, now laces up her own skates.

  • Sonia Sprayberry
    Volunteer Coordinator

    Master of impressions (except Scottish).

  • Ashly White
    Manager of Programs & Youth Engagement

    Thinks parking lines are merely suggestions.

  • Doug Wolf
    Chief Strategy Officer

    Can’t read his own handwriting.

  • Want to join our team?
    Check out our available career opportunities.
    Learn More

Board of Directors

  • Sandra Rich
    President
    Nationwide

  • Randy Dupler
    Immediate Past President
    Dupler Office

  • Steve Weis
    1st Vice President
    Cameron Mitchell Restaurants

  • Mike Schott
    2nd Vice President
    Harold C. Schott Foundation

  • Randy Randolph
    Treasurer
    Safelite Auto Glass

  • Phil Goldstein
    Secretary
    Highlights

  • Jonica Armstrong
    DSW Inc.

  • Bob Brokaw
    Fifth Third Bank

  • Bryan Carson
    Huntington

  • Matt Gerhardt
    CF Bank

  • Kim Hall
    Columbus State Community College

  • Laurie Kamerer
    L Brands

  • Tani Mann
    The Dispatch Printing Company

  • Michael Mentel
    Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP

  • Johnathan Northup
    Bank of America

  • Theresa Potter
    Franklin University

  • Aaron Weir
    BeecherHill

  • Michael Wilkins
    Mount Carmel East Hospital