A group of dedicated Sierra Vista residents came together in January 1995 with the hopes and dreams of providing a place for the youth of our community to come together.  Acting under the original direction of the Grandma-Grandpa Corp, the group quickly identified the needs and requirements of the community’s youth and contacted Boys & Girls Clubs of America to seek recognition as an organizing Using the expertise of local attorney Charlie Irwin, the group incorporated in June, 1995 as a non-profit organization.  The by-laws and Articles of Incorporation were then given to CPA Tom Longfellow for the task of obtaining 501(C)3 status from the Internal Revenue Service.  After three submissions, the Internal Revenue Service granted the non-profit status on December 15, 1995.  While these legal and financial requirements were taking place, a board of director was formed from the local community.  With many tasks before them, a site was identified and the land lord was contacted to see if he would participate with the opening of a Boys & Girls Club.  He responded favorably and a lease was negotiated and signed so the group could take occupancy of the facility and begin remodeling.

            Joe Kraps was voted as President of the first Board of Directors and spear headed many of the fund raising requests and also offered his construction background and knowledge for the task of remodeling of the clubhouse which was located at 128A South 1st Street.  The remodeling started in December, 1995 with a Saturday work day.  Soon after that Saturday, many local contractors and material suppliers donated their time and supplies to make the remodeling a huge success.

            With over $40,000.00 in the Club’s checking account, national notice was given through Boys & Girls Clubs of America for our first executive director.  Many resumes were received and John Reichard had the task of preliminary telephone interviews, reducing the finalists to a short list.  Two individuals were brought to Sierra Vista for interviews, one candidate proving to be our first executive director.  Steve King, coming from Boys & Girls Club of San Antonio (TX) started his duties on May 23, 1996.

            As all of the remodeling and fund raising was coming together, the Board set an open house/ribbon cutting for Saturday, June 1, 1996.  Many community leaders were present.  A number of youth brought their parents and signed up as our first members.  The Clubhouse door first opened for member use on Monday, June 3rd and the initial summer session was a tremendous success with as many as 100 youth attending our morning sessions.   As the Boys & Girls Club of Sierra Vista entered into their first after-school session, the Board of Directors began looking at the 1,200 square foot space next door.  They procured a lease and remodeling began immediately. 

            On July 14, 1997, Valerie Lancaster assumed the position as Executive Director.  Up until July 25, 2008, the Club consisted of a 4,400 square foot facility with a gamesroom, kitchen, classroom, a technology center, multi-purpose room, staff offices, and administrative offices. Hundreds of  boys and girls are members with an average of 100+ members daily throughout the school year and throughout the summer participating in activities and programs.