A Safe Space FOR YOUTH TO GROW & LEARN

WHO WE ARE

We’re your neighbors in Millville, your friends in Vineland, your partners in Bridgeton. Across our three Club communities, we believe Cumberland County’s diversity is its strength—and every young person deserves a safe place to belong and the support to thrive.

Our mission is to enable young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as caring, productive, and responsible citizens.

The Club’s intention is to provide care to children who need us most. We believe a bright future for all youth benefits both the individual and the community at large. That work takes a team of dedicated staff and volunteers who show up every day to ensure kids across Cumberland County have access to life-changing programs and consistent support.

Our Impact at a Glance

• 12 communities served across Cumberland County
  
• Federally funded through Department of Justice grants since 2008
  
• $20 annual membership to keep the Club accessible to families
  

Ages 6–18 welcome from every corner of our county

Our Story

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Cumberland County became a chartered member of Boys & Girls Clubs of America in 2004. We began in the back of an Episcopal church in Vineland with a small group of youth and just three ongoing programs. Since then, we’ve grown to over 220 registered members, with programming at two sites in Vineland and additional outreach across the county.

Vineland is the largest city in square miles in New Jersey, largely rural, and home to a vibrant community with a large Hispanic population (52%). The challenges many young people face here are real, including high unemployment and poverty rates, and the highest teenage pregnancy rate in the state.

That’s why our work matters.

We offer programs that empower youth, rebuild integrity and self-esteem, and support positive decision-making. We also play a critical role in reducing juvenile delinquency by providing a safe place to go after school and keeping kids engaged in:

• Educational support and academic enrichment
  
• Healthy lifestyles programming
  
• Cultural experiences and leadership development
  
• Community service
  
• Fitness and recreational activities
  

The Club is open to youth across the greater Vineland area and Cumberland County from first grade through high school. Programs are offered at:

• The Youth for Change Center
  
• The Carl Arthur Recreation Center

We also provide programming at several area schools and within a county housing complex, helping us reach children where they are.

Chris Volker Retirement Announcement

Subject: Celebrating a Legacy: Chris Volker to Retire After 21 Years of Service

Dear Friends and Supporters,

After 21 remarkable years of dedicated service to the youth of Cumberland County, Chris Volker is stepping down as CEO/Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Cumberland County in January 2026.

Building Something Extraordinary

Chris didn’t just lead our organization, he helped build it from the ground up. In 2004, alongside several concerned citizens, Chris helped establish the Boys & Girls Clubs of Cumberland County with a clear mission: to create safe spaces where young people can learn, grow, and thrive.

Under Chris’ visionary leadership, our organization has:

• Expanded programming across Vineland, Millville, and Bridgeton
• Increased our budget and organizational capacity
• Found a permanent home for our members
• Launched the building expansion project (currently underway!)
• Strengthened community partnerships throughout the region
• Touched the lives of thousands of young people across Cumberland County

A Mission, Not Just a Job

“My time at the Boys & Girls Club was truly a remarkable journey. This was not a job to me but a mission to help young people succeed in life. I know that the organization will continue to grow and prosper in the years ahead.”

— Chris Volker

Looking Ahead

As Chris begins his well-deserved retirement, we’re pleased to announce that Carlos Mercado will step into the role of CEO in February 2026. Carlos recently retired from the Vineland Fire Department and brings a wealth of experience working with non-profits to continue advancing our mission.

Thank you, Chris, for your unwavering commitment, visionary leadership, and the indelible mark you’ve left on Cumberland County. Your legacy will continue to inspire the young people we serve for generations to come.

We appreciate your continued support during this transition period.

With gratitude,

Boys & Girls Clubs of Cumberland County

Carlos Mercado Welcome Announcement

Subject: Welcome Our New CEO: Carlos Mercado

Dear Friends and Supporters,

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Cumberland County is thrilled to welcome Carlos Mercado as our new CEO, effective February 2026.

Carlos is a lifelong Vineland resident with an extraordinary record of community service:

• 30 years with Vineland Fire Department (retired Captain)
• Former Vineland School Board Member & Cumberland County Commissioner
• Founding member and Vice President of M25
• Former President of Habitat for Humanity
• Recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award for philanthropic work

“I was a nineteen year old Puerto Rican kid from center city Vineland and I was given the opportunity of a lifetime. Now, I want to make sure every child in Cumberland County has that same opportunity.” — Carlos Mercado

Carlos’s vision includes:

• Expanding programs into every school in Cumberland County
• Modernizing facilities with a teen center and year-round recreation space
• Building stronger community partnerships

Carlos has already begun working toward ambitious goals that will transform our organization. He envisions not just serving the children currently in our programs, but reaching every young person who needs us. His commitment to improving our facilities and the neighborhoods around them reflects his deep understanding that investing in youth transforms entire communities.

Together with his wife Kristi, a Special Education teacher, and their two sons Sebastian and Dominic, the Mercado family embodies the spirit of service that defines our organization. Carlos brings decades of experience raising millions of dollars for worthy causes, building coalitions, and making lasting change in Cumberland County.

We’re excited about this new chapter and the continued growth of our mission under Carlos’s leadership.

Connect with Carlos: carlos@bgccumberland.org

With gratitude and excitement,

Boys & Girls Clubs of Cumberland County

Executive Committee

Board Members