The Hopkinsville-Christian County Boys & Girls Club spotlighted how the nonprofit supports local youth, their plans to expand their footprint and recent awards the club has received at Wednesday’s Great Futures Luncheon.
The luncheon was kicked off with a performance by the Boys & Girls Club Dance Team. Following the performance, Club Board Chair, Tera Bloecher welcomed the attendees and shared what the club does and awards they have received since last year’s luncheon.
Club Executive Director Terrance Davis received the Blue Spirit Award which is the highest award a club director can receive. Board Emeritus Dan Kemp was inducted in the Boys and Girls Club of Kentucky Hall of Fame and past chair Holly Bivins earned the Board Member of the Year Award for Kentucky.
Along with the recent awards, Bloecher says the local club is on the map and directors from other Boys & Girls Clubs have called and visited to learn how the local club operates to implement some of those practices at their own clubs.
At last year’s luncheon, Davis announced their plans for a the FabLab which was set to include a recording studio, photography studio, 3D printer, laser cutter and much more to give members career and technical skills applicable in today’s workforce. Davis says a ribbon cutting for the 2,000 square foot FabLab and the updated Teen Center is set for September.
The Walnut Street Stadium neighboring the club has been demolished and with the space Davis says they are working on plans to establish a wing to their current center for elementary school students which will help them increase the number of children they serve along with the services they provide.
Davis says the most ambitious plan they have for the expansion is to establish an on-site facility to help those struggling with short-term homelessness.
To conclude the luncheon, Davis introduced Genesis Allen a member of the club was selected to compete in the National Youth of the Year Award, which is the highest honor a club member can receive. Allen talked about her upbringing where she endured homelessness and issues in school.
Allen shared that her mother signed her up for the club and says it has since made Hopkinsville feel like home for her.
The winner of the award will receive $100,000 in scholarship money and a new car from Toyota. More information about the local club and its upcoming expansion can be found at Boys and Girls Clubs of Hopkinsville-Christian County on Facebook.