The Boys & Girls Club Story

Smilow Teen Center Opens in Texas

Philanthropist Joel Smilow has done it again.

Smilow, former chairman and CEO of Playtex Products, has generously supported numerous Boys & Girls Clubs over the years. This includes Clubs in Connecticut, Michigan, New York, Georgia and Washington. His latest patronage was recently revealed in Texas, where the Boys & Girls Club of San Antonio hosted a ceremony to open the Joel E. Smilow Teen Center.

Councilman Robert Treviño, Mayor Ivy Taylor, Joel Smilow, Councilwoman Shirley Gonzales and Club CEO Angie Mock at the Smilow Teen Center.

The center was funded through the organization’s first comprehensive capital campaign, “Invest in a Child. Build a Great Future,” including a $400,000 donation by Smilow. Features include a teen lounge, learning center, nutrition center and basketball court. It is expected to serve about 250 Club members annually.

Many thanks to Mr. Smilow for his ongoing support of those kids who most need the services that Boys & Girls Clubs offer.

Councilman Robert Treviño, Mayor Ivy Taylor, Joel Smilow, Councilwoman Shirley Gonzales and Club CEO Angie Mock at the Smilow Teen Center.

The center was funded through the organization’s first comprehensive capital campaign, “Invest in a Child. Build a Great Future,” including a $400,000 donation by Smilow. Features include a teen lounge, learning center, nutrition center and basketball court. It is expected to serve about 250 Club members annually.

Many thanks to Mr. Smilow for his ongoing support of those kids who most need the services that Boys & Girls Clubs offer.

Making new friends in Hattiesburg.

Spent some time on the road last week, reconnecting with several Boys & Girls Clubs in the southeast. My travels began in beautiful Hattiesburg, Mississippi, where the Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club resides in a world-class facility, which also provides extended services to families through core Salvation Army programs.

Longtime CEO Scott Pfaff’s leadership has resulted in steady growth and advanced performance, including increases in teens served, registered membership and average daily attendance. Discussions to expand services are underway, which would provide more youth with the opportunity to benefit from the Boys & Girls Club program.

Tuesday night, I had the honor to attend the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Gulf Coast’s Steak & Stake Dinner, where we celebrated the Youth of the Year program. Five Youth of the Year candidates spoke of how the Club helped them overcome seemingly insurmountable odds in their lives. Adding special significance to the evening as guest speaker was boxing legend and Club alum Evander Holyfield. CEO Keva Scott is building momentum for sustained growth and advancement, with planning underway for a new facility in Biloxi, and plans to convert the existing site to a Teen Center.

Next on the itinerary was Pascagoula, Mississippi, and the Boys & Girls Club of Jackson County. Being on hand to kick off the Club’s first civic engagement meeting was important to me. In a meeting with board members and senior staff, we discussed how an engaged and motivated board is essential to meet the needs of a smaller community. CEO Catherine Glaude took us through initiatives she's leading to expand community awareness of the Club’s work. We also met with the sheriff and several law enforcement officials, superintendent of schools and elected officials. Our discussion focused on building better relationships with law enforcement to avoid violence like we’ve seen in Baton Rouge and St. Paul.

My final stop: the Gulf Quest Maritime Museum in Mobile, Alabama. CEO Tim Wills of the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Alabama and I led a discussion about the “State of the Youth in America.” Tim presented a bold four-year strategic plan, which included tripling the number of youth served by his Club. Central to the plan: a more engaged relationship between the Club and the community. Tim’s message was well received. Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson also delivered remarks. Mayor Stimpson has a deep connection to the Club, having assisted in campaigns and other supportive efforts.

Later, at a Club board meeting led by Chair Amelia Bacon, we discussed the organization’s plans for the future. Despite a recent history in Mobile that includes numerous violent deaths, the opportunities are great in the community. And the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Alabama is actively engaged in helping to build a better city for everyone.

Over the past few years, CEO Michelle Seither and Board Chair Dave Cook of the Boys & Girls Club of West Chester/Liberty in southwest Ohio have successfully led the way forward for a new facility. Planning, coordinating and funding construction of a new Club requires intense focus and a lot of hard work. Of course, you can never take your eye off your mission to serve all kids – especially those who most need your Club. The West Chester/Liberty team has lived up to both responsibilities very well.

Year-over-year membership has increased 62 percent, for example, with average daily attendance growing nearly 50 percent. And this summer’s launch of a new teen program resulted in over 50 teens becoming new Club members.

The funding campaign for the new Club is also nearing its successful completion. A fundraiser honoring local native and former Speaker of the House John Boehner brought them even closer, thanks in great part to a generous $500,000 gift from Speaker Boehner, whose wife, Debbie, serves on the Club’s board. Kudos to board member Patti Alderson, as well, a driving force behind the building campaign and making the Club available to the entire community.

It was an honor and privilege to be part of this portion of the campaign and awareness building, and to see the tremendous progress made in the past year.

Artist's rendering of the new 31,000-square-foot West Chester/Liberty Club. Plans include a gymnasium, library, art room and dance studio.

Southern Mississippi and the Gulf Coast

Making new friends in Hattiesburg.

Spent some time on the road last week, reconnecting with several Boys & Girls Clubs in the southeast. My travels began in beautiful Hattiesburg, Mississippi, where the Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club resides in a world-class facility, which also provides extended services to families through core Salvation Army programs.

Longtime CEO Scott Pfaff’s leadership has resulted in steady growth and advanced performance, including increases in teens served, registered membership and average daily attendance. Discussions to expand services are underway, which would provide more youth with the opportunity to benefit from the Boys & Girls Club program.

Tuesday night, I had the honor to attend the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Gulf Coast’s Steak & Stake Dinner, where we celebrated the Youth of the Year program. Five Youth of the Year candidates spoke of how the Club helped them overcome seemingly insurmountable odds in their lives. Adding special significance to the evening as guest speaker was boxing legend and Club alum Evander Holyfield. CEO Keva Scott is building momentum for sustained growth and advancement, with planning underway for a new facility in Biloxi, and plans to convert the existing site to a Teen Center.

Next on the itinerary was Pascagoula, Mississippi, and the Boys & Girls Club of Jackson County. Being on hand to kick off the Club’s first civic engagement meeting was important to me. In a meeting with board members and senior staff, we discussed how an engaged and motivated board is essential to meet the needs of a smaller community. CEO Catherine Glaude took us through initiatives she's leading to expand community awareness of the Club’s work. We also met with the sheriff and several law enforcement officials, superintendent of schools and elected officials. Our discussion focused on building better relationships with law enforcement to avoid violence like we’ve seen in Baton Rouge and St. Paul.

My final stop: the Gulf Quest Maritime Museum in Mobile, Alabama. CEO Tim Wills of the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Alabama and I led a discussion about the “State of the Youth in America.” Tim presented a bold four-year strategic plan, which included tripling the number of youth served by his Club. Central to the plan: a more engaged relationship between the Club and the community. Tim’s message was well received. Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson also delivered remarks. Mayor Stimpson has a deep connection to the Club, having assisted in campaigns and other supportive efforts.

Later, at a Club board meeting led by Chair Amelia Bacon, we discussed the organization’s plans for the future. Despite a recent history in Mobile that includes numerous violent deaths, the opportunities are great in the community. And the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Alabama is actively engaged in helping to build a better city for everyone.

Ohio Club Makes Exciting Progress for Kids

Over the past few years, CEO Michelle Seither and Board Chair Dave Cook of the Boys & Girls Club of West Chester/Liberty in southwest Ohio have successfully led the way forward for a new facility. Planning, coordinating and funding construction of a new Club requires intense focus and a lot of hard work. Of course, you can never take your eye off your mission to serve all kids – especially those who most need your Club. The West Chester/Liberty team has lived up to both responsibilities very well.

Year-over-year membership has increased 62 percent, for example, with average daily attendance growing nearly 50 percent. And this summer’s launch of a new teen program resulted in over 50 teens becoming new Club members.

The funding campaign for the new Club is also nearing its successful completion. A fundraiser honoring local native and former Speaker of the House John Boehner brought them even closer, thanks in great part to a generous $500,000 gift from Speaker Boehner, whose wife, Debbie, serves on the Club’s board. Kudos to board member Patti Alderson, as well, a driving force behind the building campaign and making the Club available to the entire community.

It was an honor and privilege to be part of this portion of the campaign and awareness building, and to see the tremendous progress made in the past year.

Artist's rendering of the new 31,000-square-foot West Chester/Liberty Club. Plans include a gymnasium, library, art room and dance studio.