Boys & Girls Clubs of Polk County officially reopened the renovated George Jenkins Memorial Club on May 22; the opening was celebrated with a ribbon cutting and site visit tour for guests. Since 1955, this Club has been a second home to generations of local kids. Now, after years of planning, fundraising, and dreaming, that home has been completely reimagined.
“This project is a tribute not just to the Jenkins family, Publix, the Barnett Family, and all of the Winter Haven businesspeople and concerned citizens who kept this enterprise going during the tough years,” said Steve Giordano, President & CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Polk County. “It is a declaration to the thousands of children who will play, learn, and be nourished here that they matter and deserve this. We are so grateful to be the stewards of these great futures in this beautiful facility.”
With financing through Florida Community Loan Fund (FCLF) and the New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) program, BGCPC undertook substantial renovations to 4 Clubs in Lakeland and Winter Haven, including the George Jenkins Memorial Club. Over 300 students are currently registered for services at the newly renovated Club, which includes a new gymnasium, classrooms for teaching and tutoring, a technology center, a teen center with a recording studio, upgraded HVAC and lighting, enhanced outdoor spaces, and a newly remodeled kitchen where meals for all attendees will be prepared.
At the ribbon cutting ceremony, Winter Haven Mayor Nat Birdsong said the opening of the Club represents growth, “not just in square footage, but in the potential for the many youth who will come through these doors.”
Founded in 1939, Boys & Girls Clubs of Polk County serves over 4,000 youth annually across 10 facilities in Polk County, Florida. BGCPC plays an integral role for low-income communities in Polk County that face significant challenges, delivering no-cost nationally recognized programs to help children in 3 core areas: academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. BGCPC’s programs operate after school and during the summer, providing educational enrichment, including literacy, STEM, and workforce readiness training; healthy lifestyle programs; mentoring; and drug & violence prevention. Family member educational opportunities are also offered to improve student engagement and provide mental health resources.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Polk County. Boys & Girls Clubs of Polk County serve thousands of children and teens each day through afterschool and summer programs that focus on academic success, healthy lifestyles, and character and leadership development. With 10 Club sites across the county, the organization is dedicated to ensuring every young person – especially those who need us most – has access to a safe, supportive environment and opportunities for a great future. https://bgcpolk.org/
Learn more about FCLF and Boys & Girls Clubs of Polk County
In the media: Winter Haven Sun, May 27, 2025, Community celebrates grand opening of George Jenkins Memorial Boys and Girls Club
On the Boys & Girls Clubs of Polk County website, Grand Reopening of the George Jenkins Memorial Club
Boys & Girls Clubs of Polk County Press Release
