Since 1995, the Boys & Girls Club of the Capital City has been serving Jefferson City's youth and helping them reach their full potentials. The club has grown to provide children and teenagers with multiple programs focusing on education, character development, health and physical activity, and drug, tobacco and alcohol prevention.
At the Boys & Girls Club, members are given the freedom to be themselves and have fun.
They will have more space to do so when construction of the club's new facility opens. Construction of the 18,500-square foot facility on the Lincoln University campus is expected to be completed in March 2017. The Boys & Girls Club led a successful fundraising campaign for the new building, raising $2.7 million. The club has continued fundraising to meet the unexpected price tag of $3.1 million, but Executive Director Stephanie Johnson told the News Tribune she's confident the organization will meet that mark.
Q. How does the Boys & Girls Club use a contribution?
A. "Donations to the Boys & Girls Club are used to scholarship youth into our program. Children on free/reduced lunch at school receive a full scholarship to attend the club, and all children 6-12 grades attend at no cost. Donations, United Way funding and grants allow us to serve hundreds of children who need us most each year."
The mission of the Boys & Girls Club is to enable all youth, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as a responsible, caring, productive citizen."
Q. What are your unique missions and programs?
A. "The mission of the Boys & Girls Club is to enable all youth, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as a responsible, caring, productive citizen. We do this by providing a safe, fun environment where children have opportunities, supportive adult relationships and receive recognition for their accomplishments."
Q. What percentage of the donations are used locally?
A. "One hundred percent of our donations stay in Jefferson City. We pay a nominal membership fee to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America to gain access to nationally recognized curriculum, staff training and use the BGC name and logo."
Q. What is the greatest challenge facing the agency?
A. "Our greatest challenge is capacity. As a state-licensed organization, we maintain a ratio of one staff member for every 16 kids we serve. The more we grow, the bigger our staffing needs and the more revenue we require to meet those needs. We are very excited that the new Boys & Girls Club facility will allow us to serve twice as many children as our old facility on Elm Street."
Q. What are the agency's biggest fundraisers?
A. "Our largest fundraiser is Cork, Fork & Brews. This year, the event raised more than $150,000 toward our scholarship fund. Hundreds of children attend the club thanks to a scholarship received at this event. Our second fundraiser, Men of the Club, is coming up on Friday, Aug. 12."
Q. How much of a donation goes for general administration and fundraising expenses, and how much is left to support program services?
A. "Boys & Girls Club offers its services with a very lean administration and fundraising expense. In 2015, our administrative and fundraising expenses combined were 8 percent of our total operating budget. This is far less than the national average of nonprofits operating with an administrative/fundraising expense of 25 percent."
Q. Is a contribution tax-deductible?
A. "All donations to the Boys & Girls Club are tax-deductible."
Q. Can a donor see the agency's financial report?
A. "Yes. Financial reports are reviewed and approved by our 20-member board of directors monthly. Additionally, reports are available to non-board members upon request."
Q. Besides donations, how can someone get involved with the agency?
A. "Boys & Girls Club will be recruiting program volunteers once in the new building. Volunteer opportunities will range from clerical/front desk, working with kids, maintenance/outdoors. We also look for volunteers to serve on our fundraising committees and as part of our program operations."
Q. If you want to volunteer, how do you get started?
A. "Visit bgcjc.com and download our volunteer application. All volunteers (as well as staff) are required to undergo a background check as part of our safety measures."
Q. Where is the agency with its Light the Way Home fundraising campaign for a new building?
A. "The Boys & Girls Club exceeded its initial goal of $2.2 million by raising over $2.5 million. In an effort to meet the needs of our new Teen Center STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) program, the layout of the teen center became more complex. Additionally, 2,000 square feet was added to the building in order to allow us space for storage. These additions increased the cost of the building to $3.1 million. We are excited to announce we have raised over $2.7 million to date. Our team is working diligently on grant writing, but we are also accepting donations to the building if someone has not yet donated and wants to be a part of this legacy. All Light the Way Home Donations (regardless of size) will be recognized within the building."
It is also our responsibility to be intentional with our programming so children are learning while having fun."
Q. What will be some of the best features of the new Boys & Girls Club building?
A. "One of the most important features of the new facility is a commercial kitchen and cafeteria. Providing a hot, nutritious dinner to children is an essential part of our program. Children cannot excel at school if they go to bed hungry at night. A grant from the United Way was provided to purchase the commercial kitchen equipment necessary.
"Additionally, the new facility will have designated learning environments for academic enrichment programs and homework help as well as recreational space. Kids vote with their feet! It is important that we provide a fun space where kids want to be. It is also our responsibility to be intentional with our programming so children are learning while having fun. A few extra features in the Teen Center will include a media center/recording studio, space for a dance studio, a girls lounge and STEAM/technology center."
Every child in our community deserves a great future, but for some children there are many obstacles between where they stand today and the future they desire."
Q. Why is the Boys & Girls Club so important to this community?
A. "The Boys & Girls Club serves a different purpose for different children. For some, we serve as a home away from home where they will be safe and fed. For others, Boys & Girls Club staff serves as family. Other children see us as a safe respite from drugs or violence that may exist in their homes or neighborhoods and for other kids, we are a place where they can explore new things, discover new talents or just be a kid.
"Every child in our community deserves a great future, but for some children there are many obstacles between where they stand today and the future they desire. Our role at the Boys & Girls Club is to help tear down those obstacles so that they can reach their full potential."
Read more from the July edition of #jcmo Inside Business here.