Our mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens.



Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford is committed to furthering diversity, equity and inclusion because all young people deserve the right to be themselves, to feel a sense of belonging, and to have access to opportunities that support their great future.


Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford Appoints Bruce Jeffery as CEO

February 11, 2025

Jeffery Brings Extensive Youth Development Experience to the Organization

Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford (BGCH) has appointed Bruce W. Jeffery to serve as its new Chief Executive Officer. Jeffery succeeds Samuel Gray, Jr. who left the organization in August following a promotion to Boys & Girls Clubs of America.


Jeffery has a proven leadership record and a deep passion for youth development. He most recently served as Chief Development Officer for the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati. Under his leadership, that organization serves more than 16,000 youth in the Greater Cincinnati region. Additionally, Jeffery led the creation of the Carl H. Lindner Impact Center, the acquisition of the Music Resource Center and the relocation of the Y’s downtown Early Learning Center to a new site.


Jeffery’s appointment to Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford marks a return to the Boys & Girls Club Movement, having previously served as the Executive Director of the Decatur, Illinois Boys & Girls Club. During his time in Decatur, Jeffery raised significant funds, enhanced operational efficiency and led an initiative to build a new Teen Center. His leadership earned him several awards and accolades including the Illinois Business Journal’s “20 under 40” recognition, a “Decatur Hero” honor from the Decatur City Council and “Non-Profit of the Year” from the Decatur Chamber of Commerce. In addition, he served as an Auxiliary Police officer with the Decatur Police Department.


“We are delighted with Bruce’s appointment and are thrilled to welcome him to the City of Hartford and the BGCH community,” said Ping Hsieh, Executive Chair of Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford’s Board of Trustees. “We are confident that under Bruce’s dynamic leadership, BGCH will continue its 165-year tradition and strengthen our mission to help every child reach their full potential.”


Jeffery’s appointment comes after an extensive nationwide search led by the Board of Trustees with the assistance of Nancy Jackson at EOS Transition Partners.


“I am humbled and honored to join and lead this incredible organization and to build upon its strong historic legacy of impact,” Bruce Jeffery said. “I am excited to be working alongside our dedicated staff, volunteers, Board of Trustees and supporters to create even more opportunities for young people to learn, grow and thrive.”


Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford is the birthplace of the Boys & Girls Club Movement. It was founded by four Hartford women in 1860 and celebrates its 165th anniversary this year.


“Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford holds a special place for us as the birthplace of the Boys & Girls Club. I congratulate BGCH on its successful search and welcome Bruce back to the Movement,” said Jim Clark, President & CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. “I look forward to Bruce’s strong stewardship and the continued success of this outstanding organization.”


Jeffery’s first day with the organization is March 3, 2025.  

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Alumni Profile: Meet Armando

October 23, 2024
At the age of seven, Armando’s family moved to Hartford’s Southend, and his neighbor (a fellow club Alumnus) invited him to visit the Southwest Club. Armando instantly fell in love with the club and its variety of fun and educational activities. Armando took full advantage of club programs such as Power Hour, which helps Club members with their homework and participated in Money Matters, where he learned about money management and even opened his first bank account. Armando was active in the Keystone Club, a teen-leadership program that allowed him to “get out and explore.” Through the Keystone Club, Armando worked on community service projects, which taught him how to be a team player and illustrated the importance of giving back. He had the opportunity to visit colleges, travel to new areas of the country and gain confidence in the college application process. As a result of his hard work and the skills learned at the Boys & Girls Club, Armando became a Travelers EDGE Scholar and earned his Bachelors of Science in Management Entrepreneurship from the University of Connecticut ’13. After graduation, he relocated to Washington, D.C. to begin his career as a consultant for the United States Marine Corps. In 2015, Armando transitioned into business development and partnership success at Management Leadership for Tomorrow, an organization focused on the professional development of African Americans, Hispanics, and Native American rising leaders. Armando recently started a new career as Associate Director of Employer Partnerships at the Yale School of Management. Armando walked into the Boys & Girls Club looking to make new friends and have fun. He ended up learning valuable life and leadership skills that have helped him become the person he is today. According to Armando: “The Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford will forever be one of the elements that make me, who I am. Every donation to these Clubs and their programs are making futures brighter for our young people.” 

Alumni Profile: Meet Michael

October 23, 2024
Michael Savage is not a stranger to Hartford, or the Boys & Girls Clubs. A member since he was in 4th grade, Savage started his journey with BGCH at West Middle School, and when the Asylum Hill Boys & Girl Club opened in 2004, he was thrilled to be a part of such a monumental moment in the organization’s history. “The Club has changed my life in so many ways,” Savage said. Savage is now a proud college graduate and works as a Student Engagement Specialist at Hartford Public High School, supporting, advocating, and finding resources for teenagers who have trouble navigating through their high school experience. “ Thanks to the support I received at the Club, I went from a youth who was troubled and was disinterested in doing anything positive, to make my mark in my community and change the world,” he said. Savage credits his pursuit of higher education and his career path to his positive experiences at the Club. “The Club not only provided a safe place for me to after school, it gave me hope, a second home, and it made me feel like I finally belonged. I was given numerous opportunities to travel outside of Hartford which gave me the chance to experience other lifestyles. I went on hikes, whitewater rafted, and even took a trip to Disneyland,” he said. “I took my education seriously and was provided with tutors who helped me when I hit obstacles and wanted to give up. It was the positive mentors in my corner who encouraged me to the best me I could be. They were the driving force to obtain my college degree from Southern Connecticut State University in 2013,” Savage recalled. After college, Savage pursued his passion for helping people as a Therapeutic Foster Care Social Worker, working and inspiring disenfranchised youth find their voices, and a home where they belonged. Now working for Hartford Public Schools, Savage feels blessed to be living and working in the community where he grew up. “I am a product of my environment. Anything is achievable with the right team of support, hard work and dedication. I want people to believe in themselves and know that they are a valued member of society, no matter their background.” 

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