PRESS RELEASE 
 
Alachua County Boys & Girls Club Expands to Serve More Youth 
JACKSONVILLE, FL / March 6, 2020 – Alachua County Boys & Girls Clubs is proud to announce a merge with Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida. The partnership unites two historic Florida Boys & Girls Club charters and expands the breadth of services available to children throughout the Northeast region. 
One of Florida’s oldest Boys & Girls Club charters, Woodland Park and Northwest Boys & Girls Clubs have been a Gainesville staple of quality, after-school youth development in the community for over 70 years. Both Alachua Clubs will join the 26 Northeast Florida Clubs and continue their excellent basketball, football, and lacrosse leagues, which enroll over 1,000 participants annually. 
Currently, both Clubs serve a combined 160 Club members during the school year and 200 Club members during the summer. The Clubs will continue to operate under the same mission of inspiring and enabling all young people, especially those who need them most, to reach their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens. Boys & Girls Clubs of Alachua merged with Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida in February 2020 to expand its services and meet the demands in the community.  
“Our mission is to keep kids safe and off the streets by having them join their local Boys & Girls Club. It’s the driving reason behind joining forces with Alachua County - to provide children with more opportunities to have fun, learn, and enjoy a warm meal under the watchful eye of Boys & Girls Club staff,” said Paul Martinez, President and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida. 
Through new grants, both Alachua Clubs will have access to increased resources, and the merge provides greater sustainability, organizational structure, and support, all to help prioritize the mission of increasing both Clubs’ daily attendance 25 percent by 2025.
“The merger with Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida creates new ways for our Gainesville Clubs to empower more youth in Alachua County. We’re looking forward to working together to build great futures for our Gainesville children,” said Scott Bruce, Alachua County Boys & Girls Clubs Chairman.  
With over 50 years of experience serving Duval County, Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida is committed to empowering more students and families in need with the resources they need to build their own great futures. 
 
Contact:            Bob Guerriere
352-804-7315  bobg@bgcnf.org