The Boys' Club of New York

Founded in 1876 by philanthropist and entrepreneur E.H. Harriman, the Boys’ Club of New York (BCNY) has almost 150 years of expertise in offering diverse, inclusive and research-based programming in a supportive environment to boys and young men in New York City. All boys are welcome, regardless of zip code, immigration status, or family income. BCNY’s mission is to offer choice, agency, and self-determination while fostering the 4Cs: competence, confidence, character, and connection All boys are welcome, regardless of zip code, immigration status, or family income. BCNY operates programming at the Gerry Clubhouse in East Harlem, Abbe Clubhouse in Flushing, Queens, Harriman Base Camp in Harriman State Park, Major Owens Center in Brooklyn, Boys Preparatory Charter School in the South Bronx, and serves 1,200 members annually through active membership. BCNY’s youth development programs include academic support, STEM, visual and performing arts, physical education, athletics, aquatics, wilderness exploration and sleepaway camp, career exploration, and recreation. Members and their families have access to individual counseling and discussion groups focused on manhood and masculinity, wellness, restorative practices, and social-emotional development. BCNY operates programming at the Gerry Clubhouse in East Harlem, Abbe Clubhouse in Flushing, Queens, Harriman Base Camp in Harriman State Park, and Major Owens Center in Brooklyn and serves 1,000 members annually through active membership. BCNY’s youth development programs include academic support, STEM, visual and performing arts, physical education, athletics, aquatics, wilderness exploration and sleepaway camp, career exploration, and recreation. Members and their families have access to individual counseling and discussion groups focused on manhood and masculinity, wellness, restorative practices, and social-emotional development. This holistic approach ensures our benefit from their BCNY experience beyond the clubhouse and throughout their lives.

Our vision is to positively impact communities that have an inequitable distribution of high-quality youth programming.

Goal One: BCNY closed Harriman Clubhouse in the Lower East Side in 2019 in order to expand to NYC neighborhoods with greater need for its services. BCNY is prioritizing expansion to Brooklyn and the Bronx.

Goal Two: BCNY is now examining its impact holistically and has developed a “Journey” framework, which includes key milestones and outcomes over the course of a member’s participation in clubhouse programming.

In April 2022, BCNY hired a Director of Restorative Justice to focus on enhancing member, staff, and family initiatives through the lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion. The Director participates in professional and leadership development opportunities for staff. Opportunities include restorative interviewing and self/communal care. Restorative interviewing emphasizes each staff member’s individualized behavior management style. Staff learn about communal care, which emphasizes full attention, holding space, honoring the speaker’s cultural way of communicating, and using empathy. The training additionally emphasizes self-care and the different types of negative effects of professional stress.

BCNY’s enrollment decreased due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks to the efforts of BCNY’s staff, enrollment numbers have started to increase to pre-pandemic levels. Staff has noticed an increased energy and excitement from members and families. Because of the increased enrollment, BCNY has expanded its programming hours on weekdays and Saturdays.