The Bradfield Center is home to the new Lima chapter of the Boys & Girls Club of America

LIMA, OH (WLIO) - The Boys & Girls Club of America's mission statement is to inspire all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive and responsible citizens.

On Thursday, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Indiana opened its new site in Lima at the Bradfield Community Center. City and state officials, along with representatives from both organizations, spoke about the big impact the partnership will have on local young people. Bradfield officials hope the partnership with the Boys & Girls Club will provide even more resources and curriculum for Lima's children.

First, I met the people. I met Chris Jackson and some board members that came over, and just fell in love with them with their passion about kids. And then I came to the Bradfield Center and understood the history of the Bradfield Center, and I saw the facility. It looks like a Boys and Girls Club outside, so I said, 'This is something going on here'. So we had a lot of synergy around relationships, the long history of Bradfield, and then we had this amazing Ohio alliance that came along and said, 'Hey, if you want a club there, we can help get some dollars to fund it'. So everything aligned, everything aligned perfectly," said Joe Jordan, president and CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Northeast Indiana.

The state also approved a capital budget of $480,000 for the Bradfield Center to be used for improvements like renovating the gym, locker rooms, and fitness area. The new club at "The Brad" will begin on August 14th as the new school year begins.

July 11, 2024, Press Release from the Senate Majority Communications: COLUMBUS—Senate President Matt Huffman (R-Lima) joined the announcement of a new Boys and Girls Club location at Bradfield Community Center in Lima.

The Community Center received $480,000 from House Bill 2, the state's Capital Budget bill, for major renovations to recreation facilities, including its gymnasium, fitness and exercise rooms, and 2nd-floor classroom and game room, to support programming that benefits Lima. 

These critical dollars specifically came from the One-Time Strategic Community Investment Fund (OTSCIF), which included $700 million for meaningful projects throughout Ohio. 

"Investing in our next generation is the most important mission we have, and the addition of the Boys and Girls Club to Lima will make a difference in the future of our kids and community for a lifetime," President Huffman said. "Our children will receive great opportunities to succeed. The funds from House Bill 2 will allow the Bradfield Community Center to offer new programs like this and keep serving all Lima residents well."

The Bradford Community Center has stood as a community pillar for 86 years, providing recreational opportunities for Lima’s African-American community, as well as programs and activities that encourage personal development and growth.

"I remember coming to the Bradfield and experiencing what this place means to the neighborhood," said President Huffman. “Countless other children will have that and receive the support they need to succeed through this new collaboration."

The partnership between the Boys and Girls Club of NE Indiana and the Bradford Community Center will provide after-school programming to children 6 to 18 years old. The new Club will focus on mentorship and youth programs that develop their academic success, health, character, and leadership skills.

The new Boys and Girls Club is expected to open in the fall and serve 200 children annually.