Founded in 1919, Union League Boys & Girls Clubs enables young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens. For more than 100 years, ULBGC has served as a trusted anchor in Chicago communities, providing safe spaces, caring mentors, and proven programs for youth who need them most. All programs are offered at no cost, ensuring access regardless of a family’s circumstances.

Today, ULBGC serves more than 13,000 youth annually across 10 active Club sites, primarily on Chicago’s South and West sides. These include neighborhood-based Clubs, a collaborative program serving justice-involved youth in partnership with the Cook County Juvenile Detention Center, and a 247-acre residential summer camp in Wisconsin. Together, these sites represent one of the most impactful youth development footprints in the region.

Young people are choosing ULBGC. We are the #1 largest Boys & Girls Clubs organization of 20 in Illinois and rank #6 nationally among 791 Clubs. We serve the largest number of teens in Illinois and the 3rd largest teen population nationally, reaching more than 20% of all Club youth in the state. ULBGC also leads Illinois in participation frequency, reflecting strong engagement, trust, and consistency.

Our impact is measurable and sustained. 98% of ULBGC seniors graduate high school on time, compared to Chicago’s average of 80%. In 2025 alone, ULBGC served more than 180,000 meals, addressing food insecurity while supporting healthy development. Youth outcomes consistently exceed Boys & Girls Clubs of America national averages: 82% of members report emotional safety, 77% report physical safety, 81% report strong adult connections, and 75% say they see clear opportunities for growth.

All programming is guided by 3 core pillars: Academic Success, Good Character and Leadership, and Health and Wellness. Youth participate in daily tutoring and Homework Power Hour, STEM and robotics, coding and IT entrepreneurship, arts enrichment, leadership development, workforce readiness, and trauma-informed wellness programming. Programs operate year-round, 5 - 6 days per week, and are delivered by trained, trusted youth development professionals who build lasting relationships with young people and families.

Union League Boys & Girls Clubs is where young people feel safe, supported, and inspired. It is a place to learn, to lead, and to belong, and a proven partner for organizations committed to building a stronger future.

Union League Boys & Girls Clubs is a place for kids to laugh.

A place to learn. A place to grow. A place to belong.

Youth of the Year is one of the most powerful leadership development experiences offered by Union League Boys & Girls Clubs. Alongside Keystone Club for high school youth and Torch Club for younger members, it helps prepare young people for college, careers, and leadership beyond the Club. Each year the program engages youth across our Clubhouse and school-based sites. While only a small number advance as official representatives, the impact of the program reaches far beyond those selected. Participants complete written essays, prepare speeches, and participate in interviews and leadership evaluations, working closely with Club staff and mentors who coach them through storytelling, public speaking, and self-advocacy.

At its core, Youth of the Year teaches young people how to articulate who they are, what they stand for, and the value they bring into every room they enter. Guided by national standards from Boys & Girls Clubs of America and implemented locally across Clubhouse and school-based environments, the program builds confidence, clarity of voice, and leadership presence. For many participants, it is their first exposure to this level of leadership development, giving them skills that carry into classrooms, college applications, job interviews, and future careers. Even for those who do not advance as finalists, the experience leaves a lasting mark. Youth of the Year equips young people to advocate for themselves and others with conviction, strengthening both their individual futures and the communities they will go on to lead.

Union League Boys & Girls Clubs Youth of the Year

ULBGC Youth of the Year 2026