BDA Member Spotlight: Boys & Girls Clubs of Bellevue

BDA Member Spotlight:
Boys & Girls Clubs of Bellevue

“We have been, and will continue to be, a vital resource for the families who live and work in Bellevue that's committed to their child's development and well-being - whether they're three or 18 years old!"

- Boys & Girls Clubs of Bellevue President and CEO Tim Motts

Over a decade ago, Boys & Girls Clubs of Bellevue was invited to join the BDA as a way of ensuring the services they provide in the Downtown area are a reflection of the work the BDA tackles every day, especially as it relates to children and their families who either work or reside in the Downtown neighborhood.

As a legacy BDA member since 2010, we wanted to speak with President and CEO Tim Motts to explore how youth services have become increasingly crucial during the pandemic and hear how city planning efforts impacts nonprofits like his as businesses in Bellevue continues to boom.

Together, our members support us in a collaborative mission to build lasting connections in the Downtown neighborhood and strengthen the urban core.

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BDA: In the nearly 12 years since signing up to become a member, what impactful changes have you noticed on your street at the Downtown Clubhouse or in the core more broadly? 

Tim: Downtown Bellevue, where our flagship site is located across from the Downtown Park, continues to evolve in exciting ways. We are seeing more foot traffic, an influx of families from the downtown housing projects, and a wide array of families from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. Our goal as a Club is to continue to support these various needs as we serve our mission to ensure all kids can lead a happy, healthy, and productive life in Bellevue.

BDA: And which of those major shifts Downtown have affected your business the most?

Tim: I would say the rapid expansion of business development in Downtown has opened a whole new audience of community supporters and corporations who understand the need to build a youth services infrastructure necessary to ensure a thriving downtown core.

BDA: How has an active hand in Downtown's future altered your outlook on community? 

Tim: Our Club does its absolute best to keep its “ear to the ground” and understand the needs of the community on the granular level of individual families, all the way to the macro level of sweeping demographic shifts of our Bellevue residents. We deploy scores of policy volunteers who are ingrained in the community to help inform these decisions.

BDA: What kind of growth and investments would you personally like to see for Bellevue in the years ahead?

Tim: I would like to see a targeted effort to ensure that family resources and youth development strategies are incorporated into the overall city planning process as progress continues to march forward in our Downtown core.

BDA: How would you say your business has had a meaningful influence on the Downtown core? What has Boys & Girls Clubs of Bellevue provided that no one else has in the area? 

Tim: We have been, and will continue to be, a vital resource for the families who live and work in Bellevue when they need a safe and fun place committed to their child’s development and well-being, whether they're three or 18 years old! 

BDA: Is there anything else you'd like share with the Downtown community and other business owners?

Tim: While it's been over two years since we've been able to gather the community together to celebrate the vital work of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Bellevue, I am pleased to invite any BDA Member to join us for our Friends Breakfast on Wednesday, November 3rd at 8 a.m. at the Hidden Valley Fieldhouse. Please reach me at tmotts@bgcbvellevue.org if you would like to attend and I will be sure to add you to our guest list!

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Boys & Girls Clubs of Bellevue
209 100th Ave NE
Bellevue, WA 98004

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