Paris Lewis offers model for 'little gems' at Boys & Girls Club

Paris Lewis goes over the day's activities with her students at the Boys and Girls Club's Edmonds Street location. Lewis, who came aboard at the club in early January, is the director of secondary programming.
Paris Lewis goes over the day's activities with her students at the Boys and Girls Club's Edmonds Street location. Lewis, who came aboard at the club in early January, is the director of secondary programming.

Paris Lewis, the new director of secondary programming at the Boys & Girls Club of Jefferson City, wants to ensure teens become the best people they can be.

"All of my kids are precious little gems, because with a little pressure they turn to diamonds," Lewis said.

Lewis came to the local Boys & Girls Club in January after working as a school resource officer at Jefferson City High School. She worked at the high school during 2015-16 school year, until January of this school year.

"I accepted this role because I wanted to be more proactive at the community level helping teens to prevent making poor decisions," Lewis said.

As a school resource officer, Lewis said her role allowed her to get involved with the youth at the high school only when a crime was committed. 

At times, she found herself wanting to provide counsel for the youth and to be a confidante for them.

For grades K-12, the Boys & Girls Club provides a safe environment, a host of mentors and role models, and programs that equip youth with job-readiness skills and soft skills they need to be productive citizens.

In Lewis' new role, she wants to provide members with basic tools to become productive citizens and ensure their members in grades nine through 12 continue to grow.

Stephanie Johnson, executive director at the local Boys & Girls Club, told the News Tribune the organization is fortunate to have Lewis in their corner.

"She is committed to changing lives and bringing opportunities to youth in Jefferson City," Johnson said. "By working at the club, Paris is able to provide guidance and direction to youth as a preventive measure to ensure kids make good life choices."

Lewis has served as a member of the board of directors for several years before taking on the role as director of secondary programming.

"I am excited for the opportunities for increased enrollment of high school students that the new facility brings," Lewis said. "

I'm here to make them better, and I'm willing to do what it takes to make that happen."