History

Our club, The Legion Memorial Boys' Club, was started in 1956 by the Roosevelt Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion. Volunteers ran programs on the second floor of the Legion for about 40 boys. The Legion wanted to help keep boys off the streets and away from potential juvenile delinquent behaviour. We have grown over the years to a multi service organization serving the unmet needs of more than 8,265 children and youth.

We have two Boards which are separately incorporated under the laws of Ontario and registered under the Societies Act. Each Board consists of fifteen members with one cross-over member who sits on both to ensure that good communication is fostered and that the interests of our children and youth are maintained.

In the beginning, the Foundation Board looked after a small investment fund and met twice a year. In 1984 the Foundation was revamped and thrust into a more active role. The Board members, along with a Campaign Cabinet were charged with raising two million dollars to build new facilities for the Club. We placed all of our assets under their jurisdiction and charged them with administering the Building Fund, Investment Fund, and increasing our fund raising activities. This Board now meets six times each year and has its own President and Officers.

In the past, our facilities were not being used for Children's and Youth Programs during the day. Most of the youth activity takes place during the early evening hours and on weekends. We decided to run Adult Programs if they could enhance our overall services to kids, raise funds for Youth Programs and meet needs in the community for disadvantaged groups. The Community Home Support Program CHOMS was the first program to use our facilities in the daytime hours on this basis. Other adult programs, including programs for Senior Citizens, have been developed over the years.

Our major funders are: The United Way of London & Middlesex, The City of London, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, Ministry of Community, Family & Social Services.

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