Building Great Futures Since 1946: The Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee Turns 80
Written by Beth Deyo
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County got its start in an old wood-frame building that had been used as a field house for major league baseball teams training in Bradenton. It didn’t look like much from the outside, but for generations of Manatee County kids, those humble beginnings were the start of something life-changing.
As the Clubs expanded over the years, they became a place where a future sheriff learned about leadership, a state senator built the confidence to serve, a mayor found his voice, and thousands of kids discovered they were capable of more than they ever imagined.
Over the past 80 years, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County have transformed countless young lives, proving what’s possible when kids are given a safe space to dream, explore, and discover who they’re meant to be.
A Look Back at the Past
The story began in 1946, when the Bradenton Kiwanis Club set out to solve a common problem: How do we give our local kids a safe place to spend their time after school? Inspired by the Boys Club of America, they set out to create a similar experience in Manatee County.
Initially, the space was far from fancy, but it didn’t need to be. What mattered was that kids had a place to go, adults who cared, and activities that kept them engaged.
In the early days, “Club Kids” often spent their afternoons boxing, -jumping on the trampoline, learning woodshop, and even practicing marksmanship out on the gun range. There was also baseball, basketball, and other activities that offered structure and taught the value of teamwork and discipline.
In the 1960s, the Club expanded, opening new locations in Palmetto and Bayshore Gardens in Bradenton, which was replaced by a new facility and renamed the DeSoto Boys’ Club in 1968.
For a full 46 years, the Clubs “belonged to the boys.” But in 1992, the Clubs finally opened their doors to girls, officially becoming the Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County.
Timeline: 80 Years of Impact
1946 – Boys’ Club of Manatee County opens in February in an old wood-frame clubhouse on Ninth Street, made possible by the Bradenton Kiwanis Club.
1951 – Kiwanis Club constructs a gymnasium at the Bradenton Boys’ Club.
1960 – Palmetto branch opens in November in a small frame building.
1965 – Bayshore Club opens in a loaned storefront at Bayshore Gardens Shopping Center.
1968 – DeSoto Boys’ Club opens at 53rd Avenue and 34th Street W, replacing the Bayshore Club.
1971 – New Palmetto branch built to replace the original 1960 building.
1992 – “The Girl Invasion”—Clubs officially become Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County.
2003 – Harllee Middle School becomes the first school-based Club.
2010 – New Palmetto Club opens, replacing the 1971 facility.
2019 – Brand-new DeSoto Boys & Girls Club opens its doors.
2026 – Celebrating 80 years of building great futures. The Clubs currently serve 2,500+ young people at five locations.
The Next Generation
In 2003, Harllee Middle School became the first school-based Club location. Today, three school-based Clubs operate at Daughtrey, Rogers Garden-Bullock, and Oneco elementary schools.
In 2010, a brand-new Palmetto Club opened, replacing the 1971 building. Then, in 2019, came the crown jewel: the state-of-the-art DeSoto Boys & Girls Club that literally made kids gasp when they walked in.
President and CEO Dawn Stanhope remembers that moment vividly. “It was so impactful to see the kids walk in and marvel at every inch of the building,” she said. They kept asking the staff, “Is this all for us?”
The answer was yes. All of it, every inch of intentional design, every program, every opportunity, existed for them.
Over the years, the partnerships have deepened, too. The baseball program culminates each season with an all-star competition among the five Clubs, played at LECOM Park on the professional field with players from the Bradenton Marauders coaching and guiding the kids. The Pirates and Marauders organizations have given back to the Clubs for decades, showing the kids firsthand that their community is invested in their success.
Meeting Kids Where They Are
Many things have changed over the past 80 years, but the Clubs’ mission remains the same: to give all kids the ability to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens.
On any given day, Club programs might help kids learn critical life skills, become better leaders, or explore future career opportunities. But they also get the chance to just be kids – playing, creating, laughing, making friends, and building memories in a place where they’ll always feel welcome.
“The model works well because the kids are at the center of it,” Stanhope explained. “Instead of forcing outdated programs, we stay relevant by asking the kids what they actually want to do, what interests them, and what gets them excited about learning.”
Mental health support has also become a major focus. The Clubs partner with trained, credentialed professionals who provide tools and strategies for kids dealing with challenges that previous generations never faced.
“Providing a sense of security, safety, and love is at the heart of what we do,” Stanhope said. For kids navigating tough situations at home or school, the Clubs provide consistency, with adults who show up for them day after day, and year after year.
The Proof is in the People
You don’t have to look far to find solid proof of the Clubs’ positive impact. Gene Brown attended from 1975 to 1985 and is currently the Mayor of the City of Bradenton. Omar Edwards, a Club Kid from 1979 to 1989, is now Associate Director of Strategic Planning Initiatives for the School District of Manatee County. Florida State Senator Jim Boyd attended the Club in 1966, and Retired Manatee County Sheriff W. Brad Steube attended from 1963 through 1969.
And then there’s Sam, a shy girl who faced many challenges, including severe bullying, poverty, and homelessness. Through her time in the Club, she discovered a passion for art, which led to eight collaborative art exhibits, a Congressional Art Competition first-place award, and a full scholarship to Ringling College of Art and Design.
“My participation with the Boys & Girls Clubs changed my life and made my goals a possibility,” Sam wrote in her college essay. “These amazing experiences have made me stronger and have made me realize this is just the beginning of my story.”
These are just a few of the Clubs’ success stories. They aren’t coincidences. And they’re not lucky breaks. They’re the result of what happens when you show kids what’s possible and help them shape their futures.
Join the Celebration
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County is marking this 80th anniversary with two signature events. The Back to the 80’s Gala will be held on April 11 at the Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa, and the Keeping Kids Safe Golf Invitational takes place September 28 at The Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club. Visit BGCManatee.org/events to learn more.