August 21 event will feature Lewisville facility tours, showcase new resources for area families
School’s back in session and Lewisville families have a new safe, affordable, and nurturing place to send their children after that last bell rings each day. Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County (BGCGTC) is celebrating the opening of its first physical Denton County Club location, serving youth ages 6-18 with programs that foster academic success, leadership development, and healthy lifestyles.
The nonprofit will host a grand opening celebration to showcase the new facility at 9 a.m. Friday, August 21, at 195 W. Corporate Drive, Lewisville, TX 75067.
In attendance will be Denton County leaders who helped the dream come to fruition. The event will feature a facility tour, and Lewisville ISD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Lori Rapp is scheduled to speak about the critical need for out-of-school programs for today’s youth.
Expansion efforts began in 2021, when BGCGTC recognized a critical gap in youth development programming and brought mobile and school-based services to Denton County youth. According to the latest U.S. Census, 1 in 17 children in Denton County lives in poverty, and as of 2024, nearly 29% of public-school students in Denton County qualify for free lunch under the National School Lunch Program.
“Opening the doors to our Boys & Girls Club in Lewisville marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the children, families, and community,” said Daphne Barlow, CEO and president of BGCGTC. “Every young person who walks through these doors will have the opportunity to discover their full potential, build meaningful relationships, and envision a brighter future. We believe the impact of this Club will extend far beyond its walls, helping shape a generation of young people who will grow to lead, serve, and strengthen this community for decades to come.”
The newly remodeled 10,000-square-foot facility is located in a former fire station, gifted to BGCGTC by the city of Lewisville, with significant renovations made possible by a $1 million lead gift from the RAO Foundation. BGCGTC partnered with Jackson Shaw, Birch Construction, and Merriman Anderson Architects to transform the former fire station into a welcoming, modern space designed to meet the needs of local youth and families. The Club was also supported by a $3 million contribution from Denton County Judge and Commissioners and $1.3 million from other anonymous donors. The newly remodeled facility is in close proximity to Lewisville High School, three elementary schools, one middle school, and surrounding family neighborhoods.
“We at the Rao Foundation are truly honored to stand alongside Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County in bringing this Club to life in Lewisville. We believe it will make a transformational difference by helping kids who need it most to prepare for their adult lives. We’re deeply grateful to the Boys & Girls Club for making this project possible,” said Nag & Seshu Rao, co-founders of The RAO Foundation.
The Lewisville Branch of BGCGTC will serve as a year-round home for high-quality youth development programs, bringing much-needed resources, mentors, and opportunities to one of the fastest-growing counties in the United States. That includes academic support, programming to encourage healthy choices, providing healthy daily meals, as well as arts, sports, technology, and workforce readiness programs. The new Club also offers safe and affordable childcare programs and a comprehensive youth development organization focused on long-term outcomes.
“This is a wonderful example of what can happen when schools, families, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and community leaders work together,” Rapp added. “Having a Boys & Girls Club in Lewisville will be a transformative addition to our community.”
Barlow projects that the Lewisville Club, in addition to the organization’s existing mobile operation in Denton County, will ultimately serve 10,000 youth annually.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County
Founded in 1926, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County is the oldest and largest Boys & Girls Club organization in Texas, serving more than 88,000 youth ages 6 to 18 across Tarrant, Denton, and Hill counties. Operating 22 locations and three mobile clubhouses, BGCGTC provides high-impact programs in academics, leadership, workforce readiness, college access, teen intervention, music and arts, and alcohol and drug prevention. BGCGTC’s mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. For more information, go to https://bgcgtc.org/.
