Stephanie Johnson, executive director of the Boys & Girls Club of Jefferson City, cried tears of joy as she was handed the keys Friday to the club's brand new facility on Lincoln University's campus.
"I remember when we found out that we were going to be displaced out of our old location," Johnson said. "That was the beginning of the toughest but the most rewarding journey."
In 2014, the BGC found out the Missouri Department of Transportation planned to put a new Lafayette Street interchange at the site of the club's former location. The old facility was located on 727 E. Elm St. in a dilapidated gas station that limited the space available for on-site programming.
As a result, the club broke off into multiple school sites that separated the administration from the programs.
Now, club members have an 18,000-square-foot facility to call home, which will allow all program sites, with the exception of Pioneer Trail Elementary School and the science technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programs at Thomas Jefferson and Lewis and Clark middle schools, to operate under one roof. The facility has the capacity to hold 350 children.
Johnson noted one of the big things the new facility offers is a designated cafeteria for the children.
The facility will have an art and music room, a learning center and a recreational room, which Johnson said is the size of the club's old building. In addition, there will be a separate room for elementary and middle school students and one for high school students, a recording studio, a designated technology hub and a teen center attached to the main facility.
"We have all of these wonderful programs at the Boys & Girls Club, and we finally have a facility that is worthy of the kids in Jefferson City," Johnson said.
A collaboration between Jefferson City and Lincoln University will also allow members of the BGC to use The LINC wellness center at no cost, with potential opportunities to host BGC events on site.
Johnson said they will start moving in Monday. Summer camp at the new facility will begin May 30.
Shauna Blanche, director of marketing and volunteer engagement at the local BGC, said she can't wait to see the children's reactions when they see the new facility.
"It's an amazing feeling to be a part of this journey and to end up with this as an end result," Blanche said. "I'm most happy for the kids, especially those who had experienced the former facility."
The club members and their parents will get the first peek at their new home May 25. The community and general public will have the opportunity to see the fruits of their generosity June 19.
BGC Board President Tim Sigmund said it's amazing to see how far the club has come since he came on board seven years ago. He has seen the club at its lowest, but with the community and LU President Kevin Rome being champions for the club, it has been able to thrive.
"Every day it just amazes me how much we have been encouraged and supported throughout this process," Sigmund said. "This is the building that will be here for the kids, and we are very grateful for the opportunity."
Director of Operations Christopher Sutton agreed, emphasizing the possibilities at the new facility are endless.
"The sweat equity and the labor of love Mrs. Johnson has put into the organization, from where it was when she inherited to its revival, makes me proud to see her vision come true," Sutton said. "We were limited with space at our school-based sites and the Elm location, but with this state-of-the-art facility, the opportunities with this facility are endless."
Johnson added: "To know that the university and Parks and Recreation (are) investing in our children, we can collaboratively do a lot of great things to enhance what we offer the kids. We love that we get to be a chain in The LINC."