A lot has happened in the past 20 years since the Boys & Girls Club first started serving the youth of Portage County. It took a lot of help and support from others to get to where we are now, and we’re forever grateful for those who have helped us along the way.

This article from 2002 tells the story of the Boys & Girls Club of Portage County’s beginning and the work that got put into it.
“In addition to painting and cleaning the new home for the Boys & Girls Club of Portage County, organizers have nailed down the Club’s focus.
Scheduled to open in early September, the Club will target youths in fifth to 12th. grades said Executive Director Kevin Quevillion. The board chose that age group. Because those students don’t have many activity options, he said.
The Club will be open from 3 to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and occasional Saturdays, depending on staff availability, and closed Sundays, he said.
Quevillon said he expects about 200 official members and at least 500 visitors during the first year.
Efforts to form a Boys & Girls Club began in October 2001. A temporary location for the Club was donated by John Noel, chairman, and executive officer of the Noel Group. The 3,000-square-foot warehouse is located across from the Noel Group on Ellis Street.
Before the Club can officially open its doors, it needs a fresh coat of paint, among other improvements and additions.
The building needs new flooring and fixtures, and organizers are looking for other donations as well.
About 41 youths participated in the Club’s volleyball tournament at Iverson Park in June.
To serve more area youths, Quevillon has applied for a grant to create a satellite program at Kennedy Elementary School in Junction City.
“We sent an application because we really want to be a Boys & Girls Club of Portage County, not just Stevens Point,” he said.
Quevillon and Kennedy principal Mike Bubla hope to offer a program for students in fourth through 12 grades, including students who transfer buses at Kennedy during the afternoon.
Junction City students wanting to participate in school activities, including after-school clubs and athletics, must travel a longer distance than students living in Stevens Point – a burden for some parents. The Kennedy satellite site would have access to computers, arts, crafts, and tutorial programs at the school, Bubla said.”

We are now able to serve the youth of Portage County starting at age six. After 20 years, our goal is the same, to provide our youth with a safe and positive place for them to learn new things, feel welcomed, and of course, have fun.