History

In 1926 an East coast banker by the name of Bramwell Baker, who summered on Winona Lake, challenged the city of Warsaw to match his donation of $1,000 to start a Boys Club. Mr. Baker was a member of the Rotary Club. The city accepted his challenge, and in August of 1926 Baker Boys Clubs opened under director Pete Thorn. Pete Thorn was a Warsaw Community school teacher and coach. He served as part-time director of Baker Boys Club from 1926 to 1963 (37 years).

In 1992 Scott Wiley was named Club’s third part-time director. Scott is a marketing agent for Bowen Center. Mr. Wiley was instrumental in the efforts to reach out to the surrounding communities by starting Satellite Clubs in North Webster, Pierceton, Leesburg, Claypool and Silver Lake. In 1993, Baker Boys Club dropped its affiliation with the Boys Clubs of America and publicly opened its doors to girls. In 1994, we changed our name to Baker Youth Club. Scott served as director from 1992 to 2003 (11 years).

In January 2004, the Baker Youth Club Board of Directors decided that it was time to take the next steps to secure the organization’s service. They felt that the answer was a facility of their own. Construction began in the summer of 2006. Construction was completed in January 2007 and, with the help of the State, the community of Kosciusko County and the efforts of the Board of Directors, $2.2 million was raised, and the facility is debt free.

BYC marks another first in its 86-year history with the addition of the Baker Bus. Baker Youth Club now provides transportation from an additional three elementary schools to the Club after school. Baker Youth Club reopens afterschool Satellite Clubs at North Webster, Syracuse, and Claypool Elementary.

BYC opens the doors to their new facility at 1401 E. Smith St. (the old YMCA). The larger, renovated building has allowed BYC to grow its programming again. In the first 4 months, BYC has seen its after school program grow from 90-100 children per night to 180-190 students! They are seeing over 90 students use the homework rooms nightly with retired teachers, serving 150 free snacks per night (up from 70) and providing over 100 free meals a night (up from 50) to those children attending the program! Currently, BYC has 5 buses transporting children. BYC has 2 buses picking up and the Warsaw Community School system is transporting students from 3 schools. Once again, BYC sees its programs growing and providing a service like no one else in our community.