A Legacy of Great Futures
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Virginia (BGCSEVA) traces its beginnings to 1919, when the Rotary Club of Norfolk founded the Boys Club of Norfolk. What started as a single site dedicated to giving boys a safe place to learn and grow soon became a vital part of the Hampton Roads community.
In 1974, the organization expanded to Virginia Beach, marking the start of a new era of growth. By the early 1990s, as Boys Clubs of America officially became Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the organization proudly adopted the name Boys & Girls Clubs of South Hampton Roads to better reflect the youth it served across genders and communities.
Between 1998 and 2004, BGCSEVA grew rapidly—operating 14 Clubs in nine cities, including sites in North Carolina. As its reach expanded west to Franklin and north to the Eastern Shore of Virginia, the organization formally became Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Virginia in 2003.
Over time, BGCSEVA has continued to evolve to meet the changing needs of families and youth. In 2021, the organization consolidated its Douglass Park and Waters Middle School locations to establish one central Portsmouth Club on Portsmouth Boulevard—providing an updated, modern space for children and teens to learn, lead, and thrive.
Most recently, in 2023, BGCSEVA strengthened its commitment to serving Norfolk youth through a partnership with the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority (NRHA) to open two new Clubs—one in Grandy Village and another in Young Terrace. These partnerships mark an exciting new chapter in our history, expanding access to safe, supportive spaces for hundreds of local youth.
Today, BGCSEVA proudly operates nine Clubs across Chesapeake, Norfolk, Suffolk, Franklin, Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, and the Eastern Shore, serving thousands of members each year. Through our programs focused on academic success, character and leadership development, and healthy lifestyles, we continue a legacy more than a century in the making.
From 1919 to today, our mission remains the same: to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens.
Our History at a Glance