Boys & Girls Clubs Of Southwest Washington To Celebrate Grand Opening Of Ogden Elementary Club - 02/26/26

Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Washington to Celebrate Grand Opening of Ogden Elementary Club
Ribbon cutting in partnership with the Greater Vancouver Chamber and Vancouver Public Schools to mark expanded opportunities for local youth

VANCOUVER, WA (March 5, 2026) — Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Washington will celebrate the official Grand Opening of its new Ogden Elementary Club on Thursday, March 5, 2026, from 4:00–5:00 p.m. at Ogden Elementary in Vancouver.

The event, held in partnership with the Greater Vancouver Chamber, will feature a ceremonial ribbon cutting, remarks from community leaders, and guided tours of the new Club space.

Speakers will include:

• Matt Kauffman, Principal of Ogden Elementary

• Francisco Bueno, Executive Director of Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Washington

The Ogden Elementary Club represents a continued commitment to expanding access to high-quality after-school programming in the community at no cost to attending families. By partnering directly with the school, the Club creates a seamless, accessible environment where students can receive academic support, participate in enrichment activities, and build essential life skills in a safe and supportive setting.

“This new Club is about increasing opportunity,” said Bueno. “By bringing our programs directly into Ogden Elementary, we’re ensuring more youth have access to the resources, mentorship, and experiences that help them succeed in school and beyond.”

The Grand Opening event will provide families, community members, and local leaders the opportunity to see the Club in action, learn more about programming, and celebrate this investment in local youth.

Event Details:

Thursday, March 5, 2026
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Ogden Elementary
3200 NE 86th Ave.
Vancouver, WA 98662

Community members and media are invited to attend.

Local Teens Take The Spotlight At 2026 Youth Of The Year Celebration - Boys & Girls Clubs Of Southwest Washington To Honor Emerging Youth Leaders - 02/04/26

Vancouver, WA – February 2, 2026 – Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Washington (BGCSW) will host its annual Youth of the Year Celebration on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Clark College in Vancouver. The event recognizes outstanding local teens for leadership, academic achievement, community service, and healthy lifestyles.

Youth of the Year is Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s highest honor, recognizing teens who demonstrate exceptional leadership and character. Local nominees have spent months preparing for the event, participating in leadership workshops, writing personal essays, and crafting speeches that reflect on their journeys and the impact BGCSW has had on their lives.

“These young people are already leaders in our community,” said Francisco Bueno, Executive Director of Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Washington. “Youth of the Year is about more than recognition, it’s about giving teens a platform to be heard and showing our community what’s possible when we invest in young people.”

One local Youth of the Year will be selected to represent Southwest Washington at the Washington State Youth of the Year competition, where they will compete for college scholarships and the opportunity to advance to regional and national levels.

Community members are invited to attend the celebration and show their support for local youth. Media are encouraged to attend and will have opportunities to interview nominees, families, and Club leadership.

For event details and tickets, visit mybgc.org.

Why This Matters

• Youth of the Year gives local teens a public platform to share their stories, challenges, and goals with the community.
• Finalists compete for scholarship opportunities that can directly impact their ability to pursue higher education.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Washington serves more than 2,000 youth annually, helping young people build confidence, leadership skills, and academic success.
• One local teen will represent Southwest Washington at the Washington State Youth of the Year competition.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Washington:

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Washington exists to empower all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible community members. Since our founding, we have been committed to providing a safe and positive environment where young people can learn, grow, and thrive.

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