Monday, Aug. 11, 2025, was an extremely difficult day at the Boys & Girls Club of Harrisburg. We learned that our John N. Hall Clubhouse at 17th and Hanover Street had been broken into, violated, and vandalized over the weekend. This act was likely carried out by young people — much like the Club kids who, for more than 86 years, have been mentored, fed, or simply found a place here to call “home.”
The clubhouse was closed this summer, not due to repairs, low attendance, or even recent government funding cuts. It was for one reason only — financial constraints.
Sadly, this is not a new problem. I am the fourth CEO in 50 years, and every one of my predecessors faced the same major concern: who cares enough about our kids to keep them off the streets, to teach and mentor them, to feed them, and to keep them safe?…