Max M. Fisher Boys & Girls Club
Club Location: 221 West 13th Street, Riviera Beach
Club Director: Patrice Henderson
Phone: ( 561) 842-5234
History:
Opening in 1991 in one of the city's old firehouses the Riviera Beach Boys & Girls Club truly had a humble beginning. Utilizing the bays where the fire trucks once stood, the Club welcomed nearly 100 children in need of services, but quickly reached capacity. As the Riviera Beach Elementary School was closing, the organization leased two of the buildings. The lease included the original schoolhouse built in 1927. This increased the facility to nearly 14,000 square feet, which enabled the organization to serve several hundred children on a daily basis. From 1993 to 2010, the Clubhouse served thousands of young people, but the school buildings lacked the amenities and were slowly deteriorating due to their age. Thanks to a generous gift from the Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation, Lesly Smith, Danielle Hickox Moore and Siro and Roberta DeGasperis a new clubhouse opened on November 13, 2010. This 22,500 square foot state of the art facility, opened its doors and welcomed the next generation of young people.
Current Facilities:
- 22,500 square feet
- 2 game rooms, technology center, library, kitchen/snack bar, guidance and leadership room, arts & crafts, science lab, gymnasium, dance studio, music (piano) room, and outdoor play areas.
Hours of Operation:
The Club is open 5 days a week, from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. throughout the school year, as well as some Saturdays. The teen program is open until 9:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and until midnight on Fridays. During the summer, spring and winter breaks, and teacher planning days, the Club is open from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Programming:
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County works to help youth of all backgrounds develop the qualities needed to become responsible citizens and leaders. The Club offers daily access to a broad range of programs in six core areas: character and leadership development; education and career development; health and life skills; the arts; sports; fitness and recreation; and technology.
-
Tutoring with certified teachers - Daily homework help
- Smart Moves prevention curriculum
- Arts & crafts
- Singing classes
- Cooking classes
- Speaker series
- Cultural Arts
- Basketball
- Daily inside and outside recreation
- Computer education
- Summer Camp
- Spring/Winter break camps
- Prevention programs
- Leadership Programs
Membership Profile 2011-2012:
- 685 members
- Average daily attendance (school year): 214
- 886 total youth served through regular programs and outreach
- 54.5% boys, 45.5% girls
- 90.7% African American;3.9% Hispanic; 5.4% Caucasian
- 78.4% of the youth served live in non-traditional or single parent households
- 87% are served by no other youth organization
- 64.9% of our members live in households with incomes of less than $29,999
Fees
-
$30 annual membership fee for school year - Affordable fees for extended programs (summer/spring/winter)
- Nominal fees for transportation
- Scholarships available
Club Wish List:
- Portable Stage
- TV, DVD player
- Walkie Talkies
- 30 to 36 passenger school bus (2)
- Athletic equipment for boys and girls
- Laptops, printers for educational use
- Dance studio equipment
- Digital cameras
- Sound stage equipment
- Board games
- Pottery clay and art supplies
Through our Capital and Endowment Campaign, a commemorative gift is permanent and highly visible and a tribute to the donor’s commitment to children. As we continue to seek contributions to our new facility, commemorative opportunities are available as follows:
Major and Named Donors
- Lesly S. Smith Gymnasium
- Kelly & Danielle Moore Science Lab
- Clara K. Williams Junior Game Room
- Siro and Roberta DeGasperis Center for Arts
- Raymond George & Ruth Bitner Fisher Foundation Teen Center
- William & Helen Thomas Charitable Trust Center for Education
- William “Bill” Marsico Welcome Center
- Ecclestone Center for Leadership
- Fortin Foundation of Florida Sports Equipment Room
- PNC Bank Administration Wing
Naming Opportunities
- Recreation Wing (Name Dedication) - $100,000
- Cadet Game Room (Name Dedication) - $75,000
- Patio Area - $50,000
- Patio Furnishings - $25,000
- Dance Studio (Name Dedication) - $50,000
- Canteen (Name Dedication) - $10,000
- Arts & Craft Room – (Name Dedication) $20,000
Additional rooms and furnishings are also needed. Contact the Development office at (561) 683-3287 for a complete list.
