The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area (BGCAA) recently hosted its Great Futures Gala, bringing together more than 600 community leaders, supporters, and alumni to celebrate the organization’s impact on local youth and to reaffirm the urgent need for safe, supportive spaces for young people. The evening's powerful message, “Austin Needs Club Kids, and Club Kids Needs Austin!” resonated throughout the event. A record $1.2 million was raised to support BGCAA’s out-of-school-time programs for thousands of Austin area youth.
BGCAA CEO Zenae Campbell and 2026 Youth of the Year Dulce L. welcomed the crowd, with Campbell highlighting how investments in Club programs not only transform the lives of young people but also strengthen families and communities across Austin.
Dulce shared his personal journey with BGCAA and the impact the Club has had on his life. “With encouragement from my Club Director, I discovered new interests, new goals, and a new belief in what’s possible,” he said.
Board chair Mario Zambrano delivered a compelling and inspiring message titled “The Time is Now to Build the Future”, a clear call to action for guests to support BGCAA and invest in the next generation.
“El momento es ahora. The time is now,” Zambrano said. “Let us dream boldly, and act generously, so that years from now, when our children stand on this stage, they too can say, ‘I am the living dream of the Boys and Girls Clubs.’”
Austin City Manager and Club alumnus T.C. Broadnax shared his journey from Club kid to city leader, emphasizing how his experiences at the Club influenced his pursuit of civic leadership.
“The Club taught me the importance of community, the power of service, and the value of lifting others up,” Broadnax said. “I saw firsthand how an organization could change lives, not just through words, but through modeled actions.”
Another highlight of the evening was a moving vocal performance by up-and-coming talent and Club Member Jayde D. , who embodied the confidence and talent BGCAA nurtures within the Clubs. Her riveting rendition of “Rise Up” served as an inspiring anthem for the evening, underscoring the resilience and determination of BGCAA youth.
Guests participated in an energetic live auction and paddle raise, helping BGCAA to exceed their fundraising goal to support its local youth programs.
BGCAA is committed to ensuring every child in the Austin area has access to safe spaces, caring mentors, and life-changing experiences that inspire them to reach their full potential.
Currently serving more than 12,000 youth ages 5-18 at twenty seven locations across Austin, BGCAA is Austin’s leading out-of-school time youth development organization. Operating since 1967, the organization provides high-quality programming focused on health and well-being, character and leadership, academic success, and life and workforce readiness. These high-impact programs lead to better school attendance, improved grades, higher graduation rates, and a better likelihood of attending college, empowering youth to create great futures.
To learn more, visit bgcaustin.org
