Our History

Since 2002, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Delta has strived to fulfill its mission of enabling all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens.

Our organization began as a conversation between Delta State University and Mississippi Valley State University campuses, former Attorney General Mike Moore, members of his staff, and a group of Mississippi Delta stakeholders.

The initial Clubs were located in Clarksdale, Cleveland, Itta Bena, and Tunica. The following year, Clubs and extensions were established in Dundee, Hernando, Robinsonville, Southaven, and White Oak.

Clubs & Extensions were chartered in Grenada (2004), and the Yazoo County organization merged with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Delta to open a Club in Yazoo City (2007). From 2007-2010, the organization operated Clubs on Public Housing Sites in Belzoni, Charleston, Drew, Indianola, and Winona.

Economies of scale necessitated mergers with stand-alone Clubs in Leflore and Panola County in 2015 and 2018 to oversee operations at the Greenwood and the Batesville Clubs more efficiently. Both of these Clubs are among the oldest in the state of Mississippi.

Currently, our organization serves nearly 3,000 youth at seven club locations in Clarksdale, Greenwood, Grenada, Itta Bena, Jonestown, Lexington, and Yazoo City. Clubs in Belzoni and Cleveland are scheduled to open in 2024. The organization continues to hold charters to establish Clubs in Desoto, Panola, and Tunica counties.

We are humbled to have the opportunity to carry on the tradition of providing Boys & Girls Clubs programs and services to youth throughout the Delta.

Programs and Services:

At Boys & Girls Clubs, we do whatever it takes to help kids and teens succeed by providing safe places, mentors, meals and meaningful life experiences. Kids know they can be themselves at the Club, make new friends and have fun, and build their skills to be successful in school, career and life.

While local Club organizations are encouraged to develop and implement programs that best meet the needs of their communities, BGCA offers local Clubs tested, proven, and nationally recognized programs that closely align with the developmental needs of all young people.

We recognize the challenges facing military-affiliated youth - some of our nation's most resilient yet vulnerable youth. We provide a safe, positive environment that helps these children and teens cope with the unique pressures of their circumstances and reach their full potential.