Boys' and Girls' Club proposed for Shelbyville

Organizers are trying to start a local Boys & Girls Club of America, which would fall under the umbrella of Boys & Girls Club of Rutherford County, where these children participate in activities. (Submitted photo) [Click to enlarge]

Supporters say too many children in Shelbyville go home to empty houses after school and have little guidance, thus turning to unhealthy outlets and in turn getting into trouble.

"I think that our mission statement sums up what we are trying to accomplish 'to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens,'" said Jennifer Jarrell, an affiliate broker at Bob Parks Realty, who's trying to get the club started. "We have so many children that are capable of reaching attainable goals given the tools and opportunity."

Building a future

Jarrell said she believes the children are Shelbyville's future, and Boys & Girls Club will help form children in need of guidance into caring and successful adults.

"We are giving them hope and opportunity, ongoing relationships with caring adult professionals, life enriching programs with character development experiences, a safe place to learn and grow, and a sense of belonging. I am praying that our community will support this great opportunity for our youth."

$175,000 needed

The cost for getting the club started is $175,000, which is also the cost to keep it running each year. The bulk of this money will go toward salaries, including the salaries of a unit director and an area director in charge of daily operation of the club, but will also cover the cost of utilities and building up keep if the board can find a building to use. Shelbyville's club would fall under the Murfreesboro club's umbrella and would be affiliated with the national organization.

"$175,000 is a safe (yearly) budget," said Dan Jernigan, chief professional officer for Boys & Girls Club of Rutherford County, who came to Shelbyville last week to meet with the local board. "We do not want to sacrifice who we are due to budget constraints."

Space hunt

Last month, advisory board member Johnny Donegan approached the Courthouse and Property Committee about possibly leasing the old Harris Middle School for $1 a year. This has not been finalized and the board is looking at a variety of other locations as well.

Kelly Rollins, a board member for the Murfreesboro club and a native of Bedford County, said he would like to see a Shelbyville club open in early 2010.

"We need a building and we need funds and we're ready to rock," Rollins said.

Filling a gap

Rollins said there is a definite need for a Boys & Girls Club in Shelbyville. He said the hours between 3 and 6 p.m. are critical hours for young folks coming home from school. Rollins cited startling statistics regarding high school drop out rates and said an uneducated workforce is a silent and growing epidemic in the United States.

He said a third of high school students across the nation will not graduate, and that this group will strain the health care system. Additionally, uneducated adults are more likely to fill up prisons. Rollins said there are currently $2.4 million men incarcerated now, and 80 percent of those men did not graduate from high school.

Boys & Girls Club combats those statistics by providing direction on education and career development; health and life skills; arts; sports, fitness and recreation; and character and leadership, Jernigan said.

"There is no youth program that can compare to Boys & Girls Club," he said.

History

Boys & Girls Clubs of America had its beginnings in 1860 with several women in Hartford, Conn., believing that boys who roamed the streets should have a positive alternative. They organized the first club. In 1906, several boys clubs affiliated.

The Federated Boys Clubs in Boston was formed with 53 member organizations, and this marked the start of a nationwide movement.

In 1931, the Boys Club Federation of America became Boys Clubs of America.

In 1956, Boys Clubs of America celebrated its 50th anniversary and received a U.S. Congressional Charter.

To recognize the fact that girls are a part of their cause, the national organization's name was changed to Boys & Girls Clubs of America in 1990. Accordingly, Congress amended and renewed the group's charter.

Learn More

For more information about Boys & Girls Club visit www.bgca.org. To become involved locally, contact Jennifer Jarrell at 703-0667.