Welcome Bruce W. Jeffery
Five Questions with BGCH's new President & CEO
Q: What are you most excited about in your new role at Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford?
A: First and foremost, it’s to be part of a great community with a lot of history. As I’ve had opportunities to drive around and meet individuals, I’ve learned Hartford is a really great place for families, so it’s really exciting to be part of this community.
Q: What does “Great Futures” mean to you?
A: At Boys & Girls Clubs our idea is to provide an atmosphere where young people feel like they can be around caring adults and the person they grow up to be can be great. That greatness is there for them to explore. When we say Great Futures Start Here we mean that at a Boys & Girls Club all young people are already great, but we know that through our mission, through our programs, through positive adults and relationships, we know that young people’s futures can be even greater.
Q: How do you envision Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford’s future? What are your top priorities?
A: There are three key areas that we look to focus on in the near future. Above all, we want to ensure that the foundation and the core of what we do is solid. So that means looking at program quality and places where we can improve. Next, we want to look at key areas of expansion. I think there are opportunities to expand our Early Learning Center programming and our workforce readiness programs. We want to look at how we ensure that young people have real-world opportunities including in areas that you don’t think of as traditional “workforce.” Lastly, a focus on additional fundraising to ensure that we have the necessary dollars and resources to fuel the mission.
Q: Is there a particular quote or philosophy you use to guide your leadership?
A: “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” I want to create a culture where when staff on Sunday night are thinking about work on Monday morning, it’s a place they enjoy coming. If we can get to know each other beyond our jobs then it trickles down to how we engage with our kids and how our community views us.
Q: What does a typical day outside of the office look like?
A: I’m a gym junkie. I’m a 4am crossfit guy and I like to do Spartan races. Athletics has always been important to me - I played college football. But, you can also find me just enjoying the space I’m in, especially if it’s outdoors. Whether that’s going to the park or hiking or riding around town checking out new places. I’m a foodie, too, so there’s a long list of places I want to try out!
This article originally appeared in the Spring 2025 edition of Be Greater Magazine. Click below to read the entire issue.
