At BGC South Coast BC, we know that Opportunity Changes Everything
Since 1938, BGC has been providing safe, supportive spaces where kids and youth can experience new opportunities, overcome barriers, build positive relationships, and develop confidence and skills for life.
We meet kids, youth, and families where they are, and provide support in ways that work for them through our prevention streams (Clubs and Camp Potlatch), and intervention streams (Counselling and Employment Services).
Clubs
At BGC’s 10 neighbourhood-based Clubs, our professional (and cool!) staff offer programs for kids and youth — after school drop-in, day camps during school breaks, and pre-teen and teen nights just for older youth.
CamP Potlatch
Located on 133 acres of pristine wilderness along the picturesque shores of the beautiful Howe Sound, thousands of campers have passed through the gates of Camp Potlatch over the past 80 years.
Counselling
Employment
The World needs MORE BGC: Organizational growth grounded in our mission, vision, and values.
Our Mission
To provide safe, supportive places where children and youth can experience new opportunities, overcome barriers, build positive relationships, and develop confidence and skills for life.
Our Vision
All children and youth discover and achieve their dreams and grow up to be healthy, successful, and active participants in society.
Our Guiding Principles
System Leadership: We are moving the needle
- Influencing Provincial Policy – negotiated of one of the most significant changes to social policy involving children and youth in decades, resulting in an amendment of the Child Care Licensing Regulation under the Community Care and Assisted Living Act to include a new Recreational Care category.
- Learning and Impact Outcome Measurement – developed the only dual-method (qualitative and quantitative) outcome measurement approach of its kind in Canada, which has now been adopted by all Clubs nationally.
Operational and Governance Excellence: Getting better at what we do
- Data and Information Transformation – conducted a comprehensive systems review to enhance organizational effectiveness, efficiency, and potential by optimizing tools and technology, streamlining processes for people, and enabling data-informed decisions.
- Strategic Alignment – established a framework to provide clarity and focus on the organization’s priorities for both programmatic and operational planning processes and implemented dashboard reporting for both Boards to enable strong, rigorous governance practices and risk management.
People and Culture: We are continuing to invest in the people behind bgc
- Progressive People Strategy – committed to a clear employer-employee relationship founded on transparency, consistency, respect, equity, and a culture of feedback, including the introduction of new programs to support employee engagement such as a Flexible Stat Holiday Policy, compensation framework, and standards for leadership.
- Active Truth & Reconciliation and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Work – prioritized and invested in internal assessment, capacity building, and co-development of a roadmap for ongoing reflection and awareness with staff.
Tests and Lessons: Becoming the best version of ourselves
Regulation and Licensing
2008 Financial Crisis
BGC Merger
DEI
COVID-19
awards and recognition
BGC Canada Visionary Award – Carolyn Tuckwell, President & CEO
BGC Canada’s Visionary Award is a national honour recognizing individuals whose leadership has made a profound and lasting impact on children, youth, and the BGC movement. Carolyn, President & CEO of BGC South Coast BC, brought Learning and Impact Outcome Measurement to life. She recognized the potential of this work and secured funding to expand Learning and Impact to BGC Canada. Learning and Impact has transformed the way ALL BGC Clubs communicate their impact.
King Charles III Coronation Medal – Carolyn Tuckwell, President & CEO
This honour recognizes Carolyn Tuckwell’s significant contributions to the community and the profound and positive impact on children, youth, and families through her leadership at BGC South Coast BC. Carolyn’s leadership was pivotal in the establishment of the Recreational Care Category under the Community Care and Assisted Living Act, Child Care Licensing Regulation, one of the most significant social policy advancements for children and youth in decades. Read more here!
Central City Foundation Profile in Community Leadership
Carolyn Tuckwell, President & CEO
Central City Foundation’s Profiles in Community Leadership celebrate examples of extraordinary community leadership and innovation from the organizations they walk alongside and support. The individuals profiled, and their organizations, demonstrate that change can happen in our communities.
As President & CEO of BGC South Coast BC for more than 20 years, Carolyn has helped make a difference in the lives of countless children, youth and families. Time and again, her work has shown the importance of creating safe, inclusive spaces where young people can develop relationships, build their life skills and feel connection and a sense of belonging. Through her leadership, BGC South Coast BC continues to evolve and ensures young people facing barriers have access to support, mentorship and community when they need it most. Carolyn’s leadership has also helped advance innovative, youth centred approaches and advocacy that recognize the importance of accessible, no-barrier programs.
