American teens face extraordinary pressures to join gangs or take illegal drugs especially when they don’t have a safe place to go.
But thanks to the Christy Houston Foundation and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Rutherford County, county teens will have two teen centers where they can have a place to call their own, said Dan Jernigan, chief professional officer for the clubs.
“By having a stand alone teen center, we will be able to provide our teens with a place to go,” Jernigan said. “Our goal in having the teen center, called The Club, is to get our teens to graduate from high school.”
The Christy Houston Foundation awarded a $2 million grant last week toward the clubs’ $4.6 million “Now More Than Ever Capital and Endowment Campaign.”
The Boys & Girls Clubs must still raise $2.6 million to build two teen centers, one adjacent to the present Boys & Girls Clubs at 820 Jones Blvd. in Murfreesboro and a second one as part of the new North Rutherford County Boys and Girls Clubs at the corner of Todd Lane and Culbertson Street in Smyrna near Thurman Francis Academy, within walking distance of four other schools.
The board hopes to break ground in the fall and finish the projects next year.
Both clubs in Murfreesboro and Smyrna serve some 1,800 school-age children for after school programs, sports leagues and summer day camp with a waiting list for the after school programs.
Vice President of Operations Steve Steele said the new facilities will allow the Boys & Girls Clubs to serve more students.
Jernigan envisions the teen center with an educational loft, computer room, games room and café lounge.
“It’s going to be a place simply for teens,” Jernigan said. “They’re going to create that place for themselves.”
When teens have a place of their own, they will participate on a regular basis at the club and not be on the streets, he said. They will have a better chance at graduating from high school.
Past President Mary Esther Reed said the North Rutherford County Boys and Girls Clubs rent a building at Gil’s Shopping Center on Nissan Boulevard, the second building since the clubs organized 13 years ago. The facility doesn’t have a gym.
The Town of Smyrna and the Rutherford County Schools generously donated land for the new clubs, she said.
“It’s so important to have our own building so the children feel ownership,” Reed said. “It’s important for them to feel this is their home away from home.”
The Town of Smyrna is behind the project because town leaders see the need.
“I can’t tell you how much parents appreciate knowing their children have a safe place to go during the summer,” Reed said. “They can drop them off where they will work on values and morals and know their children are loved and taken care of. That is so huge.
“We never turn a child away,” Reed explained. “If they can’t afford it, we make sure they can still come to the Boys & Girls Clubs.”
Especially in tough economic times, the clubs’ staff may get other agencies to help families in need.
Economic factors
Volunteering for the Boys and Girls Clubs is part of Reed’s family. Her mother, Esther Victory, is a past board member. Reed’s father, Kenneth “Coon” Victory, is leading the capital campaign.
“We were overwhelmed with the generosity of the Christy Houston Foundation,” Reed said. “The fund-raising is actually going well, even with economic times. People may not be able to give as much as they could a couple of years ago but they’re still giving.”
Fund-raisers will ask individuals to help reach the goal to complete the facility in North Rutherford County and the teen centers. They plan to send letters and host mini house parties.
Jernigan acknowledged it’s difficult to conduct a capital endowment campaign in these tough economic times but the needs of children drive the board.
“A lot of the children we serve have been in a recession all their lives,” Jernigan said. “For us to wait and postpone our campaign until the economy improves only further continues the recession for the children.”
Board President Kelly Rollins said the board considered the tough economy but “chose to have faith. We believe in our community and we knew they would come through the way they have.”
The Christy Houston grant was a tremendous boost to the campaign, he said.
Victory and board members have been soliciting key donors for major gifts.
They are asking for a three-year commitment.
People may donate by calling the Boys and Girls Clubs at 893-5437 or contacting a board member.
Rollins believes the community will respond.
“We live in a very blessed and generous community,” Rollins said.
By donating, contributors have a direct “impact on kids in the community who need us the most. Many of the kids we serve are from disadvantaged circumstances.
“Supporting these kids as future leaders gives them hope and opportunities they might not otherwise have,” Rollins said.
Clubs programs
Rollins is especially excited about the prospect of the teen centers.
About 2.4 million men are incarcerated in the U.S., and 80 percent of those men did not graduate from high school.
The centers will serve as a tool to have an impact on kids the Boys & Girls Clubs are not reaching now, he said.
While the students enjoy recreational activities, they also participate in educational opportunities. Rollins believes the clubs’ activities for younger students and the two teen centers will develop characteristics to help them graduate.
“Our programs more than supercede just having a place to come and play ball,” Rollins said. “Sports and fitness is a key component to what we do. But it’s used many times as a carrot to bring in the youth and teach them about leadership, character building, the arts, education and career development and health and life skills.”
Steele said the board is still developing plans for the teen centers and North Rutherford facility.
“Christy Houston put us at the top of the hill,” Steele said. “We just have to raise the rest of the money, finish planning and get the rest built.”
He thanked the Christy Houston Foundation and the Smyrna Rotary Club for the funds committed to the project.
“We’re thankful for all those who have pledge their support for the project to date,” Steele said, adding, “We need people to step up and pay for the rest of it.”
Lisa Marchesoni may be reached at 869-0814 or at lmarchesoni@murfreesboropost.com. |
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