The Neighborhood Club's Legacy

1910's - Grosse Pointe Neighborhood Club was founded to meet the recreational, educational, and social service needs of area families. The club's first meeting was held on January 14, 1911, when a board of 24 women, many of whom owned summer homes in Grosse Pointe, elected Mrs. Russell A. Alger, Sr. as president. The women's mission was to address social problems in the fields of health, welfare and recreation. The original club operated out of a home on Rivard Boulevard, and then moved to a club house on Oak Street  (now Muir  Road)  where the Pointe's first gymnasium was constructed. The Neighborhood Club cosponsored Grosse Pointe's first public library in 1915 and helped to organize Grosse Pointe's first hospital in 1917. George Elworthy was chosen as executive director in 1919, a job he held until 1962.		The original Neighborhood Club, circa 1913, was in a former  home located on Oak street  (present day Muir Road in Grosse Pointe Farms).  The house still exists on Muir Road.

The second Neighborhood Club building .		1920's - Grosse Pointe  Neighborhood Club helped to construct Cottage Hospital. Dexter M. Ferry, Jr. donated an eight-acre site on Waterloo between St. Clair and Neff to the club, and a new community center and gymnasium were built at 17151 Waterloo after a successful $150,000 fund raising drive. A rummage sale, instigated by Mrs. Alger, took place in the gymnasium in 1929. The sale  gave birth to
the Neighborhood Thrift Shop. The second Neighborhood Club building was across the street from the present facility located on Waterloo in the City of Grosse Pointe.

1930's - During the depression, the Neighborhood Club was the public welfare center for the area. The federal and county emergency relief act programs were administrated by the club, and the personal concern that has been a tradition of the club helped many families during those hard times. In the 30's, the recreation program enjoyed great popularity, and the Detroit Lions used the club football field for practice. Elworthy said the Neighborhood Club assisted with community needs during the trying decade.

1940's - The first Metropolitan Club was held on the playfield, two paddle tennis courts were built, and Rotary Keeno parties attracted thousands of participants. World War II forced the club to respond again to changing community needs. The club continued to serve as a public welfare office, volunteered to serve as Civil Defense Headquarters, and became a U.S.O. center. Over 3,000 service men were served breakfast by club volunteers before being sent overseas. Elworthy was about the organization's contributions in the forties as he was about the thirties.

1950's - Grosse Pointe Neighborhood Club grew into a strong recreation center and its gym was used by high schools for their basketball and football programs. Tennis boomed and Grosse Pointe became known as a premier junior development program. Athletic fields were used every available minute.

1960's - In 1962, Elworthy retired as Executive Director after 42 years of service and was named Rotary's Citizen of the Year. He was replaced by Edgar Krattli, who served the organization until 1971. In 1965, The Helen Newberry Joy Fund purchased the Neighborhood Club property and gave it to the Grosse Pointe Board of Education. Additionally, the old community center was torn down in 1966 after being condemned.

1970's - Pauline Masak retired as Recreation Director in 1973 after 39 years of unexcelled service. The 1970s were a period of extensive growth and John Bruce was named Executive Director in 1971. By 1975, the club's activities and membership had more the doubled, and by the end of 1977, the Neighborhood Club had grown from 1,900 members in 1971 to 6,200 members. In October 1977, 150 senior adults celebrated the first anniversary of the Village Club. A barrier free addition was added to the community center on Waterloo in 1979. After 50 years of receiving Community Union, Red Feather and United Foundation funds, the club became totally self-sustaining. Consequent with the halting of governmental and non-profit funds, the organization shifted away from providing welfare services to offering recreation and athletic programs. The Annual Fund was started and generated $20,396 in its first year. The Neighborhood Club raised $550,000 with its first capital campaign in 1979.

1980's - The Annual Fund more than tripled to the amount of $73,401. Neighborhood Club staff, board members, and area families came together to celebrate the club's 75th anniversary. The Bodman Computer Center was constructed inside the Neighborhood club in 1987 with the help of the Matilda R. Wilson Fund and in memory of Henry T. Bodman. The Neighborhood Club took a leadership role in establishing and managing a Grosse Pointe Field Use Committee. Members of this committee represent various community groups that share public facilities. The committee ensures safe, high-quality playing fields for participants. Program attendance flourished with 17,000 participants. 

1990's - Grosse Pointe  Neighborhood Club's focus this decade has been to provide unequalled and expanding recreational programs to area families, and to secure long-term financial stability for the organization. Over the last 20 years, the number of programs has increased from 20 to more than 80. Growth has occurred in almost every activity. Women and girls represent almost 50 percent of our total participation, largely due to the efforts of Recreation Director Betz Johnson who celebrated 25 years of service to the club in 1998. The club now organizes approximately 600 teams with 7,500 players, and schedules more than 3,000 games, classes, and clinics each year. In 1993, a team sponsorship program was established for area businesses and individuals to provide direct support to youth teams. The Annual Fund celebrated a record $137,000 year. The club completed a successful effort to raise $100,000 for the Van Dusen Endowment Challenge Grant, brining the club's total endowment to $1,278,000. The operating budget has grown to 1,200,000. The Neighborhood Club continued to cooperate with the Grosse Pointe Public School System and local governments in using their facilities to provide enriching activities that bring families together.

2000's - With courage and vision, only 24 pioneering women initiated the Neighborhood Club at the beginning of the 20th century. Their avid commitment parallels how the men and women of the current organization work for the community today. In the advent of the 21st century, the hard work of staff, the generosity of community members, and particularly the efforts of the board has helped the club have an impact, one that will surely continue to blossom in future years. As Bruce said, "The only way [The Neighborhood Club] survives is with true dedication and commitment it gets from the board. Grosse Pointe is blessed to have such a facility, and people who care about it."

  The present Neighborhood Club building 

is  located on Waterloo in the City of Grosse Pointe.