Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast Corporate Office, 923 Denton Blvd NW, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
About
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast offers core programs in Academic Success, Good Character & Success, and Healthy Lifestyles. The program reports a 3.1 average grade point average among members and has provided more than 130,000 healthy snacks.
The organization’s mission is to enable all young people, especially those that need the program most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens. Its core values are Safety as the over-arching organizational value, along with Commitment, Empowerment, Excellence, Initiative, and Trust. Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast is a registered IRS 501(c)3 charity.
The organization’s history dates back to 1968 as the Boys Club of the Playground Area with a membership of 15. In 1988, local businessmen supported the Club during economic difficulties. In 1990, it became the Boys & Girls Club of Okaloosa County and began serving girls as well as boys. In 2001, it opened a Smart Center in South Walton County, which led to a fully operational Club by 2002, when it was renamed Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast. In 2010, it welcomed the existing Pensacola Club, and in November 2014 it took over the After School Program at Kenwood. The Montclair Club opened in August 2015, and the Riverside Club opened in August 2020 during the pandemic. In 2022, almost 2,200 kids were registered, and the organization reports extending its impact to over 2,100 other youth served.
Leadership roles include Shervin Rassa for corporate and board of directors questions, Crystal Mayes for donations, sponsorships, media, and special event opportunities, Anthony Lanier for club membership and general inquiries, Leslie Mickles for grants, Rita Cummins for careers and volunteering, and Lindsey Thomas for finance. Funding comes from contributions, special events, grants, and donors such as the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation and United Way agencies in Escambia and Okaloosa/Walton Counties. In 2022, 1,274 members participated in community service.
Parent and member feedback includes comments that staff are excellent and attentive and work with parents to support kids’ success, that the Club has encouraged a member to strive for greatness and believe in personal goals, and that one parent’s child enjoys attending, receives homework help, and participates in both after-school and summer programming.
Last updated May 31, 2026.
The organization’s mission is to enable all young people, especially those that need the program most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens. Its core values are Safety as the over-arching organizational value, along with Commitment, Empowerment, Excellence, Initiative, and Trust. Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast is a registered IRS 501(c)3 charity.
The organization’s history dates back to 1968 as the Boys Club of the Playground Area with a membership of 15. In 1988, local businessmen supported the Club during economic difficulties. In 1990, it became the Boys & Girls Club of Okaloosa County and began serving girls as well as boys. In 2001, it opened a Smart Center in South Walton County, which led to a fully operational Club by 2002, when it was renamed Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast. In 2010, it welcomed the existing Pensacola Club, and in November 2014 it took over the After School Program at Kenwood. The Montclair Club opened in August 2015, and the Riverside Club opened in August 2020 during the pandemic. In 2022, almost 2,200 kids were registered, and the organization reports extending its impact to over 2,100 other youth served.
Leadership roles include Shervin Rassa for corporate and board of directors questions, Crystal Mayes for donations, sponsorships, media, and special event opportunities, Anthony Lanier for club membership and general inquiries, Leslie Mickles for grants, Rita Cummins for careers and volunteering, and Lindsey Thomas for finance. Funding comes from contributions, special events, grants, and donors such as the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation and United Way agencies in Escambia and Okaloosa/Walton Counties. In 2022, 1,274 members participated in community service.
Parent and member feedback includes comments that staff are excellent and attentive and work with parents to support kids’ success, that the Club has encouraged a member to strive for greatness and believe in personal goals, and that one parent’s child enjoys attending, receives homework help, and participates in both after-school and summer programming.
Last updated May 31, 2026.
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