Guest Commentary: Resurgence of Boys & Girls Clubs a plus for Lee County families, economy
Since 1974, Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County has provided a safe space for children and teens to learn fundamental skills to succeed in life, such as teamwork, cooperation, listening, character and citizenship.
Boys & Girls Clubs programs enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens.
Unfortunately, only a few hundred young people have opportunities to join Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County each year. Although the organization has been successful in fulfilling its mission, it has remained relatively small in comparison to clubs in other communities, even as thousands of families move to Lee County each year.
That is changing.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County is finally poised for growth. The first step was building financial security, a challenge given the club’s fee structure that makes programs affordable. Raising weekly rates is not a desirable option.
Over the past three years, board members and club leadership have spearheaded a fundraising campaign to build for the future. That success led to the purchase of the former Fort Myers Event Center, which is being transformed into a flagship location renamed the Park Meadows Community Club. Once renovations are complete, the club will feature enclosed activity centers, a tech center, gaming room, central member hub and seating pods. An outdoor patio will be enclosed to create a teen center, and site plans also include construction of a covered sports pavilion and installation of a multipurpose sports field.
Park Meadows is a game-changer for youth in Lee County. The club will be able to accommodate 500-plus members, more than doubling the current membership across seven existing community, neighborhood and school-based clubs. Since acquiring the property last summer, Park Meadows has brought Boys & Girls Clubs programs to an underserved area of Fort Myers, while also serving as a community hub. The center has hosted hurricane relief distribution events in partnership with the Tzu Chi Foundation, a Turkey Give-a-Way through Harry Chapin Food Bank, a holiday party sponsored by Suncoast Credit Union, the Back 2 School Bash sponsored by Hertz and other events.
The resurgence of Boys & Girls Clubs is certainly an advantage for children and teens, but also their families and our community. Without safe, affordable after-school and summer programs, many parents cannot work full-time jobs. And if parents cannot work full-time, local businesses lack the workforce needed to operate at full capacity. That, in turn, impacts our local economy, which remains strong, but is still recovering from Hurricane Ian, inflation and other factors.
The U.S. Census estimates 17.3% of Lee County’s population is under age 18. That equates to more than 136,000 youth. No one organization can accommodate every child in need of care, of course, but it’s exciting to see Boys & Girls Clubs emerge as a leader providing high-quality after-school and summer programs.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County continues fundraising efforts to ensure young people of our community have a safe place to learn and grow. Donations help pay for renovations and upkeep while also ensuring that members can join regardless of their family’s financial situation.
Community support has allowed Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County to take the next big step in its evolution and ultimately provide a world-class experience that assures success is within reach for every young person who enters the doors of our clubs.
Denise Gergley is CEO for Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County. For more information, please visit bgclee.org or call 239-334-1886.