Our History

1992

BGC Cochrane and Area (formerly Boys and Girls Club of Cochrane and Area, and Cochrane Youth Association) has been serving young people and their families in Cochrane and the surrounding area since 1992. Sparked by a group of concerned citizens, including parents and human service workers, with a common vision of expanding opportunities for young people in the community. In September 1992 a 12-person Board of Directors formed, and charitable registration was obtained.

1995

Four years later, in 1995, the Cochrane Youth Association (CYA) applied to become a member of both the Provincial and National Boys and Girls Club. The mandate for membership was to confirm a need within the community. The CYA undertook this needs assessment by interviewing members of the public and community service agencies that had some direct contact with youth between the ages of 10 and 16. The Youth Association also conducted interviews with a broad section of youth and members of the business community. It was established that there was a significant need in our community, and the Cochrane Youth Association was confirmed as the Boys and Girls Club of Cochrane and Area (BGCCA) in 1997.

2007

To stay current with the needs of the community, the Boys and Girls Club of Cochrane and Area undertook another needs assessment in 2006 to look at the viability of a Family Day Home Agency in Cochrane. Confirmed with the assistance of a grant from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada Foundation, along with support from Region 3-Calgary and Area Child and Family Services Authority and Cochrane FCSS, the establishment of a Family Day Home Agency was identified as a substantial benefit to the community. In early 2007 Play Days Family Day Home Agency was started as a program and in February of the same year the first two contracted day homes opened. Play Days has grown to serve over 100 children daily and support 25 active providers in Cochrane and Area.

2011

With continued growth and increasing demand, Cochrane FCSS and the BGCCA worked closely together to set up the Glenbow Club portable for Kindergarten Out of School Care. Through support of FCSS and a number of other partners, the portable site became operational in January 2011 and continues to serve 40 children daily.

2021

In 2021, The Boys and Girls Club of Canada rebranded to BGC Canada in order to be more gender inclusive, and our Cochrane location rebranded to BGC Cochrane and Area. We also saw our Family Day Home Agency undergo a name change recently, and is now formally known as BGC Cochrane and Area Day Homes.

Today

BGC Cochrane and Area is proud to celebrate over 30 years of service in Cochrane and Area! We serve 150 children daily in Out of School Care, 460 children through 62 day homes and run after school and in school programs everyday for youth ages 10-17! We are always updating our programs to keep youth interested and engaged.

We recognize that our work, and the works of our clubs, takes place on traditional indigenous territories in Canada.

In the spirit of our efforts to promote reconciliation, BGC Cochrane and area acknowledges the traditional territories and oral practices of the Blackfoot (Siksika, Piikani, and Kainai), the Tsuut’ina (Sarcee), the Stoney Nakoda First Nations, the Métis Nation (Region 3), and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.

Today, Canada is home to many Indigenous peoples and we are grateful to have the opportunity to meet and work on this territory.