The Boys & Girls Clubs of Elko was founded in 1999 by Al Bernarda. Al was a member of the Boys and
Girls Club of Long Beach, California when he was a boy. During his time at the Club, he met many friends
and in his last year there, they won the State Boys Club Basketball Championship, beating Oakland. Al
moved to Elko in 1990 and saw the huge need for a place for kids to grow and learn. He gathered the
first town hall meeting in January of 1997 to present his vision for a Club to the community. And as they
say, the rest is history.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Elko operated out of trailers, located at the Southside Elementary School, for
its first twelve years. The successes established during these early years set the foundation for a strong
future.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Elko secured $4,000,000 that opened the Carl & Janet Pescio Boys & Girls Club
in August 2013 at 782 Country Club Drive. In September 2018 the Boys & Girls Clubs of Elko received a
donation of $878,000 from the William N. Pennington Foundation to build a new Teen Center. In
October 2019, this new Teen Center opened its doors to make space for 200 members aged 12-18.
In July 2018 the William N. Pennington Foundation donated $1,468,087 to build the new William N.
Pennington Boys & Girls Club in Wells which opened its doors in February 2019.
In 2019 the Boys & Girls Club expanded into the Spring Creek community by offering after school
programs in trailers at Spring Creek Elementary School. The William N. Pennington Foundation
contributed $4,455,512 in 2020 to build the new William N. Pennington Boys & Girls Club of Spring
Creek which opened its doors in January 2023.
In September 2021, Nevada Gold Mines contributed $659,800 to partner with the Boys & Girls Club to
build the new Nevada Gold Mines Early Learning Center in Elko which opened in October 2022. In
September 2021 Nevada Gold Mines also contributed $2,407,825 to build the new Nevada Gold Mines
Early Learning Center in Spring Creek which opened in 2023.
To enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.
Provide a world-class Club Experience that assures success is within reach of every young person who enters our doors, with all members on track to graduate from high school with a plan for the future, demonstrating good character and citizenship, and living a healthy lifestyle.