Wakeman BGC to Break Ground on Third Clubhouse

Madison Avenue Clubhouse in Bridgeport is Becoming a Reality

The groundbreaking for Wakeman Boys & Girls Club’s new Madison Avenue Clubhouse is set for Monday, March 28, 2022, 11 a.m. at 595 Madison Avenue in Bridgeport. The Wakeman Boys & Girls Club Madison Avenue Clubhouse in the North End/Hollow neighborhoods of Bridgeport will open for children and families Summer 2023. 

 

In 2016, the City of Bridgeport approached Wakeman Boys & Girls Club to establish a partnership to replace the condemned North End Boys & Girls Club facility on Madison Avenue. The City of Bridgeport was eager for Wakeman Boys & Girls Club to replicate the success of the organization's Smilow-Burroughs Clubhouse that opened in the West End area of Bridgeport in 2011.

 

Wakeman Boys & Girls Club— with the support of their Board of Trustees and greater community—has raised over $15 million in private contributions, in addition to the recent news of a State of Connecticut $3 million bond and additional City of Bridgeport, State and New Markets Tax Credit funding.

 

“The outpouring of support is humbling. This project would not be a reality without the generosity of our longstanding Wakeman Boys & Girls Club supporters. The $3 million bond from the State, after the early funding and land provided by the City of Bridgeport, is one more vote of confidence from the community in Wakeman Boys & Girls Club’s ability to provide more services to Bridgeport youth. This important project helps us fulfill our mission, which is “to guide and inspire young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential,” says Wakeman Boys & Girls Club CEO, Sabrina E. Smeltz.

 

According to Smeltz, State Representative Steve Stafstrom, Speaker of the House Matt Ritter, Governor Ned Lamont, City Council Members, Senator Marilyn Moore, and members of the Bridgeport delegation played a critical role in advancing the project.



"The construction of a state-of-the-art Wakeman Boys & Girls Club on Madison Avenue has long been a priority of mine and I am thrilled to have been able to secure the critical State matching investment needed to finally make this $23 million project a reality," State Representative Steve Stafstrom said. "I want to extend my thanks to Governor Lamont, Speaker Ritter and commission members for understanding this project's significance and value."

 

Wakeman Boys & Girls Club’s Madison Avenue Clubhouse project will be a two-story 44,230 square foot space and will bring significant resources and opportunities to one of the most socio-economically challenged areas in the state.

 

In proximity to the new clubhouse are nine schools and the organization anticipates serving over 2,000 new youth ages 3 to 18 annually. Club kids will benefit from academic support, health, wellness, recreation, nutrition, social and emotional learning, and enrichment programs in a safe space. The facility will include multiple learning centers, a three-court field house, performing arts space, a technology room, teen lounge, STEM learning space, and a licensed preschool center. In addition to being a rich resource for children and families, the clubhouse will contribute to the economic development of the North End and Hollow neighborhoods by adding 40 new full-time equivalent positions, and part-time roles for first-time, job-seeking teens.

 

Wakeman BGC is also partnering with Southwest Community Health Center, which will have a 10,000 square foot clinic on the second floor of the building and will provide medical, dental, vision and behavioral health services. Other partners, including Bridgeport Caribe Youth Leaders, will collaborate with Wakeman Boys & Girls Club on programming and activities.

WBGC Names 2025 Youth of the Year

March 13, 2025
Avery Pfenning Will Continue to State Competition

Congratulations to the 2025 WBGC Fine Arts Exhibit Winners!

February 13, 2025
Thank you to the artists who submitted works to our 2025 Fine Arts Exhibit, Express Yourself: Imagination Unbound, celebrating the power of individuality and imagination. Selected works will go on to compete in the Boys & Girls Clubs of America's National Arts Contest. Entries were evaluated by a panel of judges on thematic accuracy, visual display & audio quality, artistic merit, creativity, originality and skill level. Congratulations to the first place winners: Visual Arts: Age 6-9: Hayden P. Age 10-12: Guilia Z. Ages 13-15: Keyarra H. Ages 16-18: Ryan G. Applied Arts: Ages 6-9: Harlem R. Ages 10-12: Harmony M. Digital Arts: Ages 6-9: Marcus J. Ages 10-12: Appollo A. Ages 13-15: Jayden W. Ages 16-18: Grant K.

Congratulations to our 2025 Youth of the Year Finalists!

February 5, 2025
Congratulations to our 2025 Youth of the Year Finalists!

Proceeds of "Run Across Connecticut" to Benefit WBGC

January 19, 2025
Creator and runner of the 150 mile "Run Across Connecticut" hopes to inspire others to become the best version of themselves.

WBGC Cowboys Celebrate Great Season

December 23, 2024
On Saturday, December 14, the WBGC Cowboys held their end-of-season banquet at our Madison Avenue Community Clubhouse. The Cowboys program is about much more than football. Our players have worked hard on AND off the field. They have built a community, attended Cowboy Study Hall, and team dinners together. And they have built skills in teamwork, discipline, perseverance, goal setting, and the ability to handle success and failure. Thank you to the parents, coaches, volunteers and donors who helped to make the season such a success. Go Cowboys!

Construction Junction Exposes Young Adults to ACE Careers

November 13, 2024
Teens and young adults explored careers in the fields of construction, architecture and engineering, met leaders from union and apprenticeship trade programs, and engaged in hands-on projects at the Construction Junction on Wednesday, November 6at the Wakeman Boys & Girls Club (WBGC) Madison Avenue Community Clubhouse. Sponsored by a collective of industry partners to mark Construction Inclusion Week, participating organizations included Bridgeport Caribe Youth Leaders, DeWalt, Gilbane Building Company, IBEW Local 468, Iron Workers 424, Kafa Group, O&G Industries and Turner Construction in addition to Wakeman Boys & Girls Club. The event was free and open to young people aged 13-25 along with family members. “The Construction Junction directly supports our goal to help young people achieve positive outcomes in Life & Workforce Readiness. We are excited to bring together industry leaders and our local youth to provide mentorship and to explore careers in these fields,” commented Sabrina E. Smeltz, Wakeman Boys & Girls Club CEO. “Turner Construction Company is committed to innovative partnerships and programs to cultivate the next generation of trades workers and industry professionals. We are facing a serious gap in skilled labor and collectively are working to create pathways for lifelong, successful careers in construction,” stated Chad McCullough, Turner Construction Company, Vice President & General Manager. Participants also learned about the ACE Mentor Program offered at the Wakeman Boys & Girls Club, designed to expose high school students to careers in architecture, construction, and engineering, including skilled trades. Mentors from ACE companies, such as Turner, work with the students to complete a culminating architectural project. Through this 15-week program, 30 teens have opportunities for summer externships and college scholarships. More information is available here.

WBGC Goes Over The Edge!

October 28, 2024
Thank you to our heroes and sidekicks! Wakeman Boys & Girls Club (WBGC) hosted its annual Over The Edge urban rappelling event on October 26, 2024 at the M&T Bank Headquarters (850 Main Street) in Bridgeport, CT. The event featured participants rappelling down the side of the 248-foot-tall building to support WBGC in delivering programs that promote academic success, healthy lifestyles and character & leadership. To date, the event has raised over $95K for WBGC and it's not too late to give! Wakeman BGC is grateful to event sponsors, volunteers, participants and community partners for making the day a tremendous success. Check out the News 12 coverage here. Watch a video by the Fairfield Prep Media Team here. Photos Courtesy A-Frame Media.

WBGC Celebrates Opening of ASML STEM Lab & Makerspace

October 18, 2024
Wakeman Boys & Girls Club (WBGC) hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the opening of the ASML STEM Lab & Makerspace at its Madison Avenue Community Clubhouse on Thursday, October 17. The new STEM Lab & Makerspace was funded by ASML, a leading supplier to the semiconductor industry. ASML, which is headquartered in the Netherlands, has a significant presence in Connecticut with more than 3,000 people employed at its R&D and manufacturing site in Wilton, Conn. The STEM Lab at WBGC was funded through a grant from ASML of $659,000, to be disbursed over three years. The Club will use the funds to equip the Lab with all necessary materials and supplies; to provide WBGC staff members with STEM-related professional development; and to send students on STEM-focused field trips. As part of the company’s support, ASML employees have committed to volunteering at the site. “Our partnership with ASML is extremely important to us and to our community,” commented Sabrina E. Smeltz, CEO of WBGC. “We know that STEM education and access to technology is crucial to ensure our young people have the tools they need for the future.” STEM programming at WBGC spans a range of disciplines, from computer science, coding and robotics to hydroponics and greenhouse gardening. Tech equipment in the Lab that students at WBGC now have access to include 3D printers, laser engraver printers, microscopes, robotics kits, drones and more. Smeltz added: “This collaboration directly supports our goal to help young people achieve positive outcomes in the areas of academic success and life and workforce readiness.” Many of ASML’s community partnerships aim to increase the STEM/technical talent pool, which society relies on to solve some of its key challenges. ASML’s commitment to being a valued partner in the communities in which it operates, specifically through education, is longstanding. In Connecticut, ASML’s support of WBGC follows the expansion of its technology education program, the ASML Junior Academy, to the United States. With partner Mad Science, the ASML Junior Academy provides free interactive technology education lessons to children ages 4 to 12 at schools in Wilton and surrounding communities. “ASML is committed to raising awareness among students of STEM-related career paths,” said Louis Lu, head of ASML’s Wilton site. “The educational and enriching programming at the ASML STEM Lab & Makerspace will give local youth access to and training on high-tech tools, and, perhaps, spark an interest that one day leads to a fulfilling career in STEM.” Photos Courtesy: Capitol Photos Interactive/Regina Madwed

WBGC Holds Two Fun-Filled Day For Kids Events

September 18, 2024
In September 2024, Wakeman BGC held two Day For Kids events, in conjunction with the annual Boys & Girls Club tradition. On September 7, we collaborated with Bridgeport Caribe Youth Leaders and Southwest Community Health Center for our first annual event at 595 Madison Avenue. On September 14, our Southport Clubhouse held a successful Day For Kids event too! Check out the photos below.

WBGC Cowboys Train With Niko Koutouvides

September 16, 2024
Our Wakeman Boys & Girls Club tackle players (go Cowboys!) had the opportunity to participate in a very special clinic on September 10th with ex-NFL player Niko Koutouvides. The clinic was sponsored by Hudson Bay Capital and Koutouvides, who played for the Seattle Seahawks, Denver Broncos, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New England Patriots. To learn more about the Wakeman Boys & Girls Club Tackle Football Program, click here.
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