The Columbus Kiwanis Club is reaching out to the Columbus Boys and Girls Club, in light of its international organization partnering with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. Wednesday, Columbus Boys and Girls director Steve Moody talked to Kiwanians at the Country Club about the youth center”s offerings.
Serving children ages 6-18, the club features an academic component and also offers games and recreation and arts and crafts.
“The Boys and Girls Club provides a safe place to learn and grow up,” Moody said.
The club has more than 200 members and about 150 active members.
“Our mission is to help all young people realize their full potential,” Moody said.
Through character-building and leadership programs, the club also targets at-risk students to prevent drop-outs.
“Out main focus is to have more high school graduates,” Moody said, noting the club hopes to have 20 of its members complete high school and go on to college this school year.
“We want to make sure they become taxpayers in the community, that they become homeowners and help build the community,” he continued.
During the school year, Boys and Girls Club offers an after-school program, featuring a “power hour,” during which students get tutoring and help with homework. The club also offers a summer program, which pairs academics with enrichment field trips and special programs.
Clubs like Smart Moves and Smart Girls help student to make good decisions such as avoiding alcohol, drugs and tobacco and dressing for success.
Friday at 7 p.m., the club, at 1815 14th Ave. N., will host a Boys to Men program, for fathers and sons, to talk about issues facing young men today.
One of club”s goals is to partner with East Mississippi Community College to offer job skills courses.
In response to a question from Kiwanis Club member Will Cooper, Moody reported the Columbus Boys and Girls Club is “out of the red,” financially.
He also noted the club charges a $100 per semester activity fee.
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