The Boys and Girls Club of The Big Bend recently recognized 22 graduating seniors who are club members. It’s the largest graduating class nearly two decades. Fourteen students received two-year scholarships from the club to attend Tallahassee Community College and the club's CEO says there are still openings available for summer programs.
“We have 5 kids who’ve been with our program since they were six years old, and I’m just super excited to be able to give these kids a scholarship.”," said CEO Kacy Dennis.
The Boys and Girls Clubs are among the oldest after-school and summer programs for kids. Funding from private donations and the Florida Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs helped fund the scholarships. One student, the club’s “Youth of the Year” Nina Fisher, received a four-year scholarship through Florida Prepaid to the University of North Florida.
The club has sites in Leon and Gadsden. It primarily works with children from Tallahassee’s Southside community.
Many of those sites still have openings in their summer programs for kids Dennis says parents still looking for safe, affordable programs should apply online.
“For those 4-5 hours after school and all day in the summer, they are truly our kids. our staff go above and beyond. They’re at their basketball games, football games, choir. Whatever they’re doing, our staff is involved in it, and that’s what sets our organization apart from other youth-serving organizations in this community and the country," he said.
The club’s costs are low: only $35 per week with breakfast and lunch provided. The summer schedule runs from June 5th to August 3rd at most sites.
