to do fun activities that
revolve around academics,
healthy lifestyles, and good
character. I especially like
that homework help is
offered on a daily basis.”
Room to grow
The fantastic new facility
will be located next to the
Middle School, located
at 2000 Mulberry Street.
The stunning 24,500
square foot building will
have enough room to
offer separate sections
for youth in grades 1st-5th, 6th-8th and 9th-12th. The facility will
be equipped with a small kitchen, two separate art areas and a
full sized gym with a divider giving the youth several options for
activities. Everything was designed with the interest of the youth,
from physical space to color of paint.
Children will be able to express their creative side through a huge
Lego wall for grades 1-5 and a chalk wall for middle schoolers.
Stephenson adds that the art rooms will provide an outlet for
creativity that youth may not get at home.
A bright future ahead
Diane Ness and husband Larry, longtime BGC supporters and
child advocates, gave the lead gift to this campaign and have
worked to inspire others to give by offering it as a matching
gift. She hopes that the BGC will have a positive impact on the
community. “We hope the youth of Yankton will love going there,
that they will have opportunities to learn and to succeed, and that
parents will know their children are in a safe place.”
“Larry and I have been so impressed with the many programs
offered,” she continues. “Among them are community service,
healthy lifestyles, homework help, art and science opportunities-all
things that help encourage good character and self-confidence.”
Lori Stephenson hopes that the memberships will grow quickly
once parents realize the great things that the Club has to offer.
She hopes that in the future the BGC facility will serve as a home
base for an abundance of youth-focused opportunities, whether it
be with schools, businesses, or Park and Rec. “Ultimately, I want
the Boys and Girls club of Yankton to be able to serve more kids
more often,” she states.
Teaming up for success
Merhib was surprised in Yankton’s willingness to create something
great for kids, especially in the teamwork with the schools and
Park and Rec. “They both went above and beyond to partner and
have continued to because
it is great for Yankton, for
kids and for families.” She
further explains how she
was pleased with “the
generosity of the community
at large to invest in a bold
undertaking like this and
to invest in their youth,
families and future of
Yankton,” she states.
The amount of support
that has been provided
to complete this project
pleased Stephenson.
Though sometimes it may
feel as though the community doesn’t put a priority on the needs
of our youth, she feels that “having the opportunity to build
the Boys and Girls Club shows that the community knows that
taking care of the kids is a high priority. By helping kids, we are
helping families, which leads to a better city where people want
to come to raise a family. A gift to the Boys and Girls Club is an
investment in the future of Yankton.”
Reflecting on the wonderful partnership the BGC has made
with the Yankton School District, Ness states, “So many people in
the community have stepped up with financial commitments and
continue to do so. The BGC is a great investment in our kids and
they are our future!”
vBy Julie Eickhoff
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