Boys & Girls Club of McAllen’s Center for Wellness and Opportunity
Dear Friends, Imagine Karina, a 10-year-old in south McAllen. She comes to our club hungry every afternoon, struggling with math homework, and no one at home to help but full of so much potential! Her mother works hard at her two jobs, speaks limited English, and, like all parents, wants what’s best for her daughter but cannot afford to give her the opportunities Karina needs to reach her full potential. Karina dreams of becoming a nurse, but that path seems impossible. Now imagine Karina walking into a safe space where she receives a healthy meal, homework help from a caring mentor, wellness checks at an on-site health clinic, workforce opportunities that landed her a junior internship at a local hospital and even plays on a basketball team—all while her mother attends a GED class down the hall, something her mom has always wanted to complete but never did because she didn’t have quality and affordable childcare after school.
This is the vision behind the Boys & Girls Club of McAllen's Center for Wellness and Opportunity! The Challenge We Face In South McAllen, more than 1 in 4 families lives in poverty—nearly double the national average- and almost all families are struggling to make ends meet. Children face hunger, limited access to preventative healthcare and supplemental academic support and opportunities research shows will set children and teens up for a future of success! Children and teens continue to struggle from the negative impact associated with poverty setting them up for a lifetime of chronic illnesses, including diabetes and obesity, compromising their ability to reach their full potential in college and in the workplace. Parents want better for their families but they simply cannot do it alone. The cycle continues, generation after generation. Our Solution In 2022, we studied successful models nationwide and we learned that breaking the cycle of poverty requires addressing health, education, and opportunity simultaneously—for children AND their parents. We know that prescribing lifestyle medicine, including nutrition, physical fitness, social connection and stress management sets children up for a happier and healthier life, positioning them for success in the classroom, in the workforce and as contributing members of society. That's why we acquired a 13-acre property with a 37,000 sq. ft. building. The Center for Wellness and Opportunity will provide: On-site health clinic for preventative care Academic support, healthy meals, and athletics for children Mental health care for children and teens An 8-court sports complex serving the entire region Job training and adult education for parents Food pantry and community resources for families The Investment We're raising $26.8 million to build this transformational facility, with Phase 1 opening June 2026. Your investment will serve 25,000+ children and families annually, providing 250,000+ meals and 200,000+ hours of academic support each year. Why This Matters Now McAllen is home to the 2023 AND 2025 National Youth of the Year—the only Boys & Girls Club in America with this distinction. Your gift today will ensure that children like Karina —and thousands more—can break free from poverty and build the futures they deserve.
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The Current Impact 18,249 Kids & Teens served annually through afterschool program, summer camp, athletics, and outreach
157,949 Academic intervention Hours
170,479 Meals Served
630,597 Quality mentorship hours
1,211 Athletic Teams
17,811 Social-emotional learning hours to promote mental health
With your support, by 2030 we will serve 25,000+ youth and families annually—a 37% increase from today.
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Breaking the Cycle: The Challenge and Our Response “I know it’s important to have my kids involved but everything is too expensive. The club, though, provides my kids opportunities I couldn’t afford. I know they are safe, learning a lot, playing, and having fun with friends!” -Dina C, parent “The club was a constant beacon of support for me and pushed me to follow my dreams. There are no words to describe the impact it has had on my life. From elementary, middle school, helping me apply to college and even speaking on Capitol Hill, the Boys & Girls Club has always been there for me” -Jose A, former member and University of Chicago student
27.2% of our neighbors live below the poverty line— nearly double the national average. But poverty isn't just about lacking money. It's about what happens to children and families when basic needs go unmet: Children arrive at school hungry, unable to concentrate or learn Families often choose between meeting basic needs or paying utilities Parents work multiple jobs yet still can't afford afterschool programs, tutoring, or extracurricular activities Young people lack supplemental opportunities, seeing no path to college or career success Entire families experience the negative impact, physical and emotional, from chronic stress and trauma These aren't abstract statistics. They're our neighbors. They're children like Karina, teens like Jose and families like Dina's. The Center for Wellness and Opportunity directly addresses these challenges by providing what families need most: healthy food, quality education, healthcare access, safe spaces, and pathways to economic opportunity—all under one roof, for two generations. When children and families thrive,
so do the communities that they live in!
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DISRUPTING POVERTY BY DESIGN With poverty persisting in McAllen, the Center for Wellness and Opportunity is intentionally designed to address root causes—not just symptoms.
Our Solution
The Impact
8-Court Athletic Complex and Outdoor Program Space Safe space for daily physical activity, sports teams, and tournaments
Youth attending get 45+ minutes more physical activity than peers who don't attend; Space for outdoor programs
Food insecurity affects 1 in 4 families
Commercial Kitchen & Food Pantry Hot, nutritious meals daily plus take-home food access
250,000+ meals served annually; nutrition education for all youth
Only 71% of adults have high school diplomas (vs. 89% nationwide)
Academic & Enrichment Center Homework help, tutoring, arts, music, STEM programs
Students receive 1+ hour of academic support daily in social setting; arts programs boost math and reading scores
Limited workforce opportunities Per capita income: $22,546 vs. $45,000 nationally
Workforce Development Programs Teen job training, internships, college/career readiness
Youth gain real-world skills and pathways to careers; connection to local employers
27.2% live in poverty Limited access to healthcare and support services
Community Wellness Center After-hours health clinic, social workers, partner agencies
Preventative care on-site; wraparound services for whole family; one-stop access to resources
The Challenge 18% of children are obese (vs. 11% nationally); limited access to safe spaces for physical activity
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Building a Sustainable Future Total Campaign Goal: $26.8 Million The Center for Wellness and Opportunity requires significant upfront investment —but the return on investment for our community is immeasurable. Here's how your dollars will be invested: CONSTRUCTION: $25,000,000
ENDOWMENT: $1,800,000
Phase 1: Traditional Clubhouse Renovation Renovation of existing 37,000 sq. ft. building Academic, arts, physical fitness and other enrichment program spaces Administrative offices and infrastructure Technology and equipment Opening: June 2026
A strong endowment ensures the Center's long-term sustainability. Annual distributions from this fund will: Offset operating costs for facility maintenance Provide scholarship assistance for families in need Fund program enhancements and innovations Create financial stability during economic downturns
Phase 2-4: Community Wellness Center and Athletic Complex 18,750 sq. ft. community partner hub After-hours health clinic Food pantry Wellness and Resiliency service areas Teen workforce development spaces Technology labs Adult education classrooms Site improvements and outdoor spaces 8-court indoor athletic complex Phase 5: Central Commercial Kitchen Full commercial kitchen for meal preparation Storage and food safety systems Equipment and infrastructure
Target endowment generates approximately $72,000-90,000 annually (4-5% distribution rate). ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET: $360K Staffing (educators, coaches, social service specialists, administrators) Programming costs (materials, supplies, curriculum) Facility operations (utilities, maintenance, security) Scholarship and financial assistance Food service (groceries, kitchen operations) Athletic operations (leagues, tournaments, equipment) Revenue sources: Program fees, grants, annual fundraising, earned income from facility rentals, endowment distributions, individual and corporate giving
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Your Investment is Our Community’s Future A Transformational Campus in the Heart of South McAllen Our 13-acre property will feature a traditional Boys & Girls Club, a community wellness center for partner organizations, an 8-court athletic complex, walking trail, community garden, playground, pavilion, and an after-hours health clinic—all conveniently located off the highway in the neighborhood that needs it most.
The full 13-acre campus integrates athletics, academics, health services, and family support—all in one accessible location.
The renovated cafeteria becomes a vibrant community gathering space for meals, performances, and family events.
The 8-court athletic complex will serve 1,200+ youth weekly and host regional tournaments, generating economic impact for McAllen.
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Boys & Girls Club of McAllen is home to the 2023 & 2025 NATIONAL Youth of the Year!
Alejandra Llanos, 2023
Ximena Villarreal, 2025
You read that right-McAllen is home to TWO National Youth of the Year! With over 5,400 clubs across the country- our children deserve the optimal club experience and we’re delivering!
Your investment in our future will support our legacy of excellence!
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Capital Campaign Committee
Board of Directors
Tony Aguirre Capital Campaign Chair Boys & Girls Club Alumni Past President Cynthia Gutierrez 2025 BGCM Board President
Ron Kilby Lifetime Board Member Past President
Dru LaMantia Past President
Heriberto “Beto” Manrique Past President
Kaylynn Norman 2025 Board Member
Trey Murray Past President
Paulina Mohamed 2025 Board Member
Mark Magnon Boys & Girls Club Alumni Past President
Annie Holand Miller Community Champion
Julie Wilkins Past President
Olivia Lemus Lucio Community Champion
Celeste Cantu Community Champion
Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar Chief Executive Officer
John Millin Dru LaMantia Paulina Mohamed Paulina Mohamed Mary Lambert Trey Murray Trey Murray Stephen Latham Kaylynn Norman Kaylynn Norman Brian Lewis Gabriel Puente Gabriel Puente Sam Lopez Louie Saenz Mark Magnon Lucy Thompson Louie Saenz Heriberto Manrique De Lara Mark Voss Lucy Thompson Monica Martinez Julie Wilkins Mark Voss John Millin Dr. Sarah Wilkinson Julie Wilkins Dr. Sarah Wilkinson For more information on Boys & Girls Club of McAllen’s Center for Wellness and Opportunity visit our website at www.bgcmcallen.net/futureimpact
Julian Alvarez III Lorenzo Cardona Liza de los Santos Jessica Delgado Rey Elizondo Henry Falcon Cynthia Gutierrez Dr. Henry Herrera Lizzie Kittleman
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Center for Wellness and Opportunity
Center for Wellness and Opportunity A Transformational Campus in the Heart of South McAllen Our 13-acre property will feature a traditional Boys & Girls Club, a community wellness center for partner organizations, an 8-court athletic complex, walking trail, community garden, playground, pavilion, and an after-hours health clinic—all conveniently located off the highway in the neighborhood that needs it most.
27.2% of our neighbors live below the poverty line— nearly double the national average. The full 13-acre campus integrates athletics, academics, health services, and family support— all in one accessible location.
The renovated cafeteria becomes a vibrant community gathering space for meals, performances, and family events.
Contact: Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar C: 512-787-2316 E: dalcantar@bgcmcallen.net
But poverty isn't just about lacking money. It's about what happens to children and families when basic needs go unmet: Children arrive at school hungry, unable to concentrate or learn Families often choose between meeting basic needs or paying utilities Parents work multiple jobs yet still can't afford afterschool programs, tutoring, or extracurricular activities Young people lack supplemental opportunities, seeing no path to college or career success Entire families experience the negative impact, physical and emotional, from chronic stress and trauma The Center for Wellness and Opportunity directly addresses these challenges by providing what families need most: healthy food, quality education, healthcare access, safe spaces, and pathways to economic opportunity—all under one roof, for two generations. When children and families thrive,
so do the communities that they live in!
To help us build great futures, visit www.bgcmcallen.net/s/future-impact