By Owen Charters, President & CEO of BGC Canada

October 29, 2025

Kids need a place beyond home and school. At BGC Clubs, 160,000 kids find that special place each year.

When we talk about where kids grow up, we often think about two places: home and school. But there’s another place that plays a powerful role in shaping who they become—the ‘third place’.

Why Third Places Matter

The idea of a third place is important. It may have started as an idea, an academic concept of a place to pause between the rigours of school and the reality of home. But it has increasingly become vitally important in an era of screens, mental health challenges, and an ever-changing, always-on society.

A third place is a space that’s neither home nor school, but somewhere kids can belong. It’s where they can be themselves, connect with mentors, and build skills that will serve them for life. And across Canada, no one does that better than BGC Clubs.

BGC Clubs are built around one powerful idea: opportunity changes everything. In a world where kids and youth face growing challenges from stress and isolation to hunger and uncertainty, Clubs provide what every kid deserves: safety, support, and opportunity. Guided by 125 years of experience and across more than 600 communities in Canada, 160,000 young people find a place to belong each year.

RELATED: BGC Clubs want the best for Canadian kids.

BGC Clubs address critical issues that shape the future of young Canadians.

At BGC Clubs, kids find people who care. Through recreation, mentorship, and belonging, Clubs create safe, inclusive spaces where kids can talk, laugh, and just be kids. For many young people, that’s life-changing. It’s a reminder that they are seen, supported, and never alone.

BGC Clubs are where curiosity turns into confidence. From homework help to STEM and arts programs, leadership training to job readiness, BGC Clubs nurture every child’s potential. Kids build real-world skills, and even more importantly, they learn how to believe in themselves.

BGC Clubs step up to make sure kids have access to nutritious meals and snacks. For too many families, putting food on the table is a daily struggle. Kids who are fed can focus, learn, and thrive. Without food security, nothing else is possible.

BGC Clubs give kids a place to go after-school and a path forward for life. They give youth positive outlets and supportive mentors who help them make good choices, stay connected, and build stronger futures—for generations.

BGC Canada’s latest PSA: #1 Third Place for Kids

When home is the first place and school is the second, BGC Clubs are the third place where everything comes together—where kids find belonging, learn life skills, and build the confidence to lead.

The voice of The #1 Third Place for Kids campaign belongs to someone who knows firsthand what it means to belong at BGC. Kayla Grey, a proud BGC Alumni Hall of Fame member, lends her voice and her experience to bring the story to life. Through her work across traditional platforms and social media, she continues to amplify diverse voices and inspire the next generation, just like BGC Clubs do every day.

The third place is a place you choose to belong, not one where you are required. This choice matters, and it’s a safe, desirable place. Clubs provide that space and more—it becomes the space to find opportunities, to grow and flourish. We all need a third place in our lives.

Partnership Kicks Off With In-Club Fundraiser to Support Judgement Free Generation® Programming

TORONTO, Oct. 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Planet Fitness, one of the largest and fastest-growing franchisors and operators of fitness centers with more members than any other fitness brand, announced a partnership with BGC Canada as part of the leading fitness provider’s ongoing commitment to advance youth wellbeing and create kinder communities. The partnership will kick off with a nation-wide fundraising campaign across all Planet Fitness clubs in Canada from October 1-31. Members can donate to BGC Canada by visiting their local Planet Fitness front desk or donating online.*

Planet Fitness is committed to ensuring that young people have access to welcoming and Judgement Free spaces that help foster confidence, resilience, and community connection. Planet Fitness’ Judgement Free Generation® initiative includes the creation of mini-Judgement Free Zones® complete with high quality strength and cardio equipment, branding, motivational signage and a non-intimidating environment where youth can focus on their fitness journeys.

“This partnership builds on our long-standing history of collaboration and our shared purpose of improving youth well-being to create healthier communities,” said McCall Gosselin, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer. “With this partnership, we look forward to deepening our impact alongside BGC Canada for years to come.”

BGC Canada (formerly Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada) is the country’s largest child and youth serving organization, providing safe, inclusive spaces for nearly 150,000 young people across more than 600 diverse communities. Through community-based programs, BGC Canada helps kids and teens develop essential life skills by offering food security, physical and mental wellness support, and academic assistance.

“By working with Planet Fitness, we can now extend programs that promote physical and mental wellness, inclusion and kindness – giving more youth the tools and confidence they need to succeed. The scale of this partnership also unlocks new opportunities at a local level, strengthening our ability to create and adapt programs that meet the evolving needs of young people across Canada.”

As part of the collaboration, Planet Fitness will also provide free one-year PF Black Card® memberships to the 2025 BGC Canada Youth of the Year honorees in Oshawa, Toronto, London and Ottawa in Ontario, and Leduc in Alberta, to help them start or continue their fitness journeys in a welcoming space.

Planet Fitness already has more members than any other fitness brand. And now, while supporting this meaningful cause, Planet Fitness is making fitness accessible for all through its October sale. Now until October 9, new members can join for just $1 enrollment, with memberships starting at only $15/month.

*Canada members can donate at bgcdonors.donorsupport.co/page/FUNZKJEGXLH.

About Planet Fitness

Founded in 1992 in Dover, NH, Planet Fitness is one of the largest and fastest-growing franchisors and operators of fitness centers in the world by number of members and locations. As of June 30, 2025, Planet Fitness had approximately 20.8 million members and 2,762 clubs in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Canada, Panama, Mexico, Australia and Spain. The Company’s mission is to enhance people’s lives by providing a high-quality fitness experience in a welcoming, non-intimidating environment, which we call the Judgement Free Zone®. More than 90% of Planet Fitness clubs are owned and operated by independent business men and women.

About BGC Canada

For 125 years, BGC Canada has been creating opportunities for millions of Canadian kids and teens. As Canada’s largest child and youth serving charitable and community services organization, our Clubs open their doors to young people of all ages and their families at over 600 locations nationwide. During out-of-school hours in small and large cities, and rural and Indigenous communities, our trained staff and volunteers provide programs and services that help young people realize positive outcomes in self-expression, academics, healthy living, physical activity, job readiness, mental wellness, social development, leadership, and more. Opportunity changes everything. Learn more at bgccan.com and follow us on social media @BGCCAN.

Media Contacts

Heather Pearson, Public Relations Manager
603-957-4661
press@pfhq.com

Kristen Scollard
Narrative XPR
Kristen.scollard@narrativexpr.com

This article was originally published by SJ Today on September 11, 2025.

Saint John has always been a city of firsts, and the Boys & Girls Club, now known as BGC, is another organization that got its start in the port city. What originally started as a way to keep troublesome boys off local city streets, has grown into a beloved organization helping youth find their way in over 600 club locations across the country.

Carl White, a lifelong club kid and volunteer, traced the history back to 1892.

“There’s actually a newspaper article that talks about how they noticed a number of boys running wild around town and decided to give them something to do…a place to gather.”

Louise Dalcourt, Executive Director, and Carl White, lifelong club kid and volunteer, helping lead BGC Greater Saint John into its next 125 years

support,” Carl said. “All Rotary clubs followed that model of support for children and youth, but we were the first ones.”

For Carl, the story is personal. He and seven siblings grew up at the Club, where he found not only safety but confidence in himself.

“It gave us a place we were welcome, a place where we could learn and share with other youth. You could feel safe, you could feel comfortable. That gives a child self-worth, and the Club has done that for hundreds of kids over the years, including me and my family.”

He believes the Club helped shape his adult life.

“I became a city councillor, I became Deputy Mayor. And of course, I jumped at the chance to give back to those that gave me something, which was the Club.”

The Club’s resilience has been tested and proven time and again. After a fire in 1974 destroyed most of the building, the community refused to let it be the end. Executive Director Louise Dalcourt shared how it’s because of the community that the Club was rebuilt and brought to where it is today. “The majority of it was donated by the community. The materials, the architects, even some of the labour,” she said.

The new design expanded the space to 36,000 square feet, creating a hub that has since welcomed thousands of kids.

Over the years, the Club has continuously transformed its programs to meet the evolving needs of youth.

“The programs adapt, and the culture adapts to how the world works…leadership, educational programs, clean energy programs, skills-based trades, that’s what kids want to learn about,” Carl explained. He expanded on how every community is different, so what River Valley needs is very different than what Saint John or Sussex needs.

Louise added, “We have a joke amongst ourselves. We are master pivotors. Life evolves, and we have to evolve with it…because kids are going to need more and more, especially on the mental health side of things.”

Now, the Club is preparing to tell its story in print. This fall, BGC Greater Saint John will release a history book that traces its journey from the very beginning. The project started with Reverend Lloyd Lake in 2001, who gathered photos and research until his passing in 2013. The work sat unfinished for years until Carl and Louise decided to take it on as part of the 125th anniversary celebrations.

For Carl, the story is personal. He and seven siblings grew up at the Club, where he found not only safety but confidence in himself.

“It gave us a place we were welcome, a place where we could learn and share with other youth. You could feel safe, you could feel comfortable. That gives a child self-worth, and the Club has done that for hundreds of kids over the years, including me and my family.”

He believes the Club helped shape his adult life.

“I became a city councillor, I became Deputy Mayor. And of course,

I jumped at the chance to give back to those that gave me something, which was the Club.”

The Club’s resilience has been tested and proven time and again. After a fire in 1974 destroyed most of the building, the community refused to let it be the end. Executive Director Louise Dalcourt shared how it’s because of the community that the Club was rebuilt and brought to where it is today. “The majority of it was donated by the community. The materials, the architects, even some of the labour,” she said.

The new design expanded the space to 36,000 square feet, creating a hub that has since welcomed thousands of kids.

Over the years, the Club has continuously transformed its programs to meet the evolving needs of youth.

“The programs adapt, and the culture adapts to how the world works…leadership, educational programs, clean energy programs, skills-based trades, that’s what kids want to learn about,” Carl explained. He expanded on how every community is different, so what River Valley needs is very different than what Saint John or Sussex needs.

Louise added, “We have a joke amongst ourselves. We are master pivotors. Life evolves, and we have to evolve with it…because kids are going to need more and more, especially on the mental health side of things.”

Now, the Club is preparing to tell its story in print. This fall, BGC Greater Saint John will release a history book that traces its journey from the very beginning. The project started with Reverend Lloyd Lake in 2001, who gathered photos and research until his passing in 2013. The work sat unfinished for years until Carl and Louise decided to take it on as part of the 125th anniversary celebrations.

“With Carl’s help we went through all the critical information and worded it in a way that’s inclusive and easy to read,” Louise said.

“We wanted to put together something that tells the story of where the Club came from in 1892 to where we are today,” Carl added.

This year, BGC Greater Saint John celebrates 125 years since the Rotary Club formally helped establish it as a model for youth programs across Canada. The anniversary has already included community events, recognition of longtime volunteers, and programs highlighting the Club’s history. The book will help cap off the year, preserving the story for future generations.

Through fires, rebuilds, and changing times, BGC Greater Saint John has stayed true to its mission: giving kids a safe place to grow, belong, and build their futures.