Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa

BGC Ottawa operates under four specific pillars of programming: Education; Physical Activity/Healthy Lifestyle; Leadership and Social Skills; and Creative Arts. These pillars are comprehensive and encapsulate the overarching goal of social skills development to build strong and engaged community members. Programs are targeted to children and youth ages 6 to 18 across 4 main clubhouse hubs and additional satellite locations. Additional programs and services include an aquatics program a summer overnight camp (Camp Smitty) the Provincial Youth Outreach Worker (PYOW) program Ottawa Community Youth Diversion Program (OCYDP) and the Neighbourhood Ambassador Program (NAP). The PYOW program mobilizes community youth outreach workers to engage youth and families in numerous priority neighbourhoods to assess needs and provide referrals and connections to social supports. The Diversion program is a youth-justice program working with youth in conflict with the law both pre-charge and post-charge designed to divert youth away from further involvement in the youth justice system. Since 2021 BGCO’s outreach services also include the Neighbourhood Ambassador Program (NAP). Delivered in partnership with the City of Ottawa and other groups the NAP consists of teams of youth outreach workers engaged to provide information resources and supports to children youth and families across 31 Ottawa neighbourhoods. In response to impacts of the pandemic on the wellbeing of children and youth in 2023 our programs were delivered through a trauma-informed lens and with increased focus on equity. Specific topics such as mental health equity truth and reconciliation and STEM continued to be offered.