Welcome to the Future of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Cumberland County

As the new CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Cumberland County, I am honored and excited to begin this new chapter serving the community where I was born, raised, and am proud to call home. My journey of public service began as a young volunteer in Vineland and continued through more than 30 years with the Vineland Fire Department, where I recently retired as Captain. Throughout my life, whether serving as a firefighter, mentor, coach, elected official, or volunteer, one thing has always remained constant: a commitment to helping others and improving the quality of life for the families of Cumberland County.

Today, that mission continues through the Boys & Girls Clubs of Cumberland County.

We are building something special here, not just a program—but a movement focused on giving every child in Cumberland County the opportunity to succeed. Our vision for the future is bold. We are expanding our reach, strengthening partnerships with local school districts, and working toward bringing Boys & Girls Clubs’ programming to more communities and more children throughout the county.

One of the most exciting developments is the major expansion of our Vineland facility at 560 Crystal Avenue. This new addition will allow us to serve more youth than ever before with enhanced recreational space, a modern teen center, educational programming areas, and a safe environment where young people can learn, grow, and thrive.

We are also thrilled to introduce Friday Nights at the Club—a new initiative designed specifically for teens. Every Friday during the school year, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, teens will have a safe, supervised, and engaging place to spend their evenings. Through recreation, mentorship, music, games, leadership activities, and positive social interaction, we are creating an environment where young people feel connected, supported, and inspired.

At the Boys & Girls Clubs, we are not simply asking our community to donate—we are inviting people to invest in the future of Cumberland County. Every investment in our Clubs directly impacts the lives of local children and helps us continue building brighter futures.

The future is incredibly exciting, and we are just getting started.

I invite you to join us as we grow, expand, and continue changing lives across Cumberland County.

Together, we will build something extraordinary.

Carlos A. Mercado Jr.
Chief Executive Officer
cmercado@bgccumberland.org