New $13.2 Million Impact Center Unveiled by Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Suburbs
On September 23, 2026, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northwest Suburbs (BGCNWS) celebrated the grand opening of its highly anticipated Foglia Woodlands Impact Center with a joyous ceremony attended by over 250 families, community leaders, and supporters. This significant occasion marked the culmination of a vision that aimed to uplift local youth and provide vital resources for their growth and development.
The centerpiece of the event was a ribbon-cutting ceremony, symbolizing the completion of a $13.2 million project that promises to have a lasting impact on the community. Thanks to the generous contributions from The Foglia Family Foundation, BGCNWS successfully finished its capital campaign, enabling the launch of this expansive 41,000-square-foot facility.
Designed to serve middle and high school students, particularly those from Barrington and Carpentersville School Districts 220 and 300, the Foglia Woodlands Impact Center will offer a variety of programs focusing on college and career readiness, skilled trades education, mental health services, and workforce development.
During the opening ceremony, Amanda Schleede, CEO of BGCNWS, emphasized the profound impact of the Foglia family’s support. "They didn’t just help us finish a building; they provided thousands of kids in our community with a place to belong for generations to come. Their generosity and faith in what our members can achieve is the foundation for this Center’s existence. We’re immensely proud to carry their name and vision forward," she stated.
The facility is equipped to accommodate up to 550 students, with tailored programs designed to guide them through educational and professional pathways. The Club-to-Career Pathway Directors and Life Mentors will work closely with members, offering personalized guidance to help them navigate their interests, explore various career options, and connect with educational and employment opportunities.
The event also featured remarks from prominent figures including Lorraine Orr, the Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer of Boys & Girls Clubs of America; Tom Roeser, Chair of the BGCNWS Board; and Jim Clark, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. All underscored the tremendous role that community investment plays in empowering the next generation.
In her acknowledgment of the numerous donors who contributed to the realization of this project, Schleede expressed heartfelt gratitude. "Every gift told our members they mattered enough for this community to invest in them. Thank you all for your generosity; this building stands as a testament to your belief in our youth," she conveyed.
This grand opening signifies not just the conclusion of a fundraising campaign but also marks a new beginning for countless children and adolescents in the region. As they begin to walk through the doors of the Foglia Woodlands Impact Center, they are stepping into an environment enriched with potential, innovation, and opportunity.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northwest Suburbs is a well-respected nonprofit organization that, year after year, dedicates itself to improving the lives of children and young adults. With a commitment to positively impacting the community, BGCNWS serves over 1,800 Club members annually through a broad array of programs designed to support every child’s educational, social, and physical development.
In addition to the new Impact Center, BGCNWS operates at 15 school-based locations across School Districts 300, 220, and 15, providing essential after-school programming, summer activities, and athletic leagues for youth within Algonquin, Lake in the Hills, Palatine, Carpentersville, Dundee, and Barrington. For more information about their programs, visit their website at https://bgcnws.org.