Join me in welcoming Mr. Jim Wentworth in his new role as the CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Lowcountry! Our Club is one of nine Clubs in the Lowcountry organization. Jim had lunch with the Bluffton staff and received a tour of the Bluffton Club. Our young people prepared a special video for him - see below! He and his wife recently relocated to Bluffton after he retired from his marketing career with a pharmaceutical firm. He is a Club kid - and so he knows the impact of an excellent Club experience!
Our hearts are uplifted by his leadership and we are excited for the future of our organization!
Happy Valentine's Day! Molly O. Hornbeak, Director
Welcome Mr. Jim Wentworth - new CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Lowcountry!
Members of the Club pose with Mr. Jim Wentworth as he thanks them for making him a video of the mission and beliefs of the organization. (See below!)
Great News
Safety starts with our Club members!
Some Club members walk with staff to the Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton from the Bluffton School Complex. Staff invest in safety by giving leadership experience to our Club members. They are GREAT at helping one another reach the Club safely.
Meet a Club Member: Timofy, age 7
"Games like Mancala in the game room are one of my favorites and you have to use these two little gems to play. It’s so cool. "
Did you know that Mancala is an African game? Visit our Facebook page to see more examples of how our Club is celebrating Black History Month.
Caring staff and volunteers provide role models for the young people at the Club. These positive relationships form the bedrock of our successful programs. The Smart Girls and Passport 2 Manhood programs began February 1. Healthy lifestyles, self-esteem and fitness are presented, as well as responsibilities and respect for relationships. The best part is that as young Club members learn and grow, they become the leaders and citizens of tomorrow.
Showcasing Teen Activities
The Keystone Club provides leadership development opportunities for young people ages 14 to 18. Youth participate in activities in three focus areas: academic success, career preparation and community service. Our Alpha & Omega Keystone Chapter has 10 members at the Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton.
BGCA hosts an annual National Keystone Conference for Boys & Girls Club teens from across the country. For many of our Club alumni, attending the national convention was one of the highlights of their Club experiences.
The Alpha & Omega Keystone Chapter is running a concession stand on Fridays at the Club, raising funds to attend the National Keystone Conference.
A huge thank you to the USCB - University of South Carolina Beaufort Track & Field Coach, Bernard Gaither for providing a talk on College Athletics at The CLUB on January 18. Coach Gaither and college athletes Kadari Mitchell and Marquis Sparks answered questions about being a college student and college athlete. Members gained much knowledge and motivation to achieve their set goals. We look forward to more USCB connections!
Community Outreach
Club member Kennedy, age 10, enters Martin Luther King Jr. Essay contest.
The Bluffton MLK Observance Committee sponsors an annual MLK Jr. Essay contest. Students in grades 6-12 are invited to submit an essay on the theme: IT STARTS WITH ME: Shifting Priorities to Create the Beloved Community."
Planned Gift Brightens the Future of the Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton
Dr. Gerald Jung has donated $180,000 towards the growth of the Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton. A distinguished scientist and professor of agriculture, Dr. Jung is a longtime supporter of the Club. His late wife, Margaret Jung, shared his commitment to education and opportunities.
Unit Director Molly O. Hornbeak says, "We are overwhelmed with gratitude to Dr. Jung for his amazing gift! With over 9,000 children and teens enrolled in Bluffton schools, we know the need to serve is great!"
Thank you to the Moss Creek Charitable Fund. They have provided a grant for us to purchase additional Lexia licenses for Club members reading below grade level. We appreciate your support so very much!
How do we help emerging readers? Lexia, traditional reading and caring adults!
The pandemic has affected many students, particularly young readers. Our dedicated literacy staff tests every Club member in grades one through five annually. Volunteers in our Literacy center meet one on one with Club members and help them to use our special Lexia software to learn even faster.
What is Lexia? Lexia Learning Core5 is a web-based, proven instructional curriculum. It provides interactive, engaging online experiences that not only teach, but weave in assessment to ensure that the tasks being presented to the learner are matching his or her needs, and strengths.
Mr. Juwan Allen joined the Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton when he was ten years old and was active in Keystone, Explorers' LEAD, and many sports activities. He graduated from Coastal Carolina University with a degree in sports and recreation science and came back to the Club as a youth development professional in 2019.
"I just love my job! I set things up so that the members have the opportunity to take on leadership roles in all of the activities we do. When I was young, I was shy, and it was hard for me to step up and be a leader. So, in working with our Club members, I can give them those leadership opportunities so that with practice, it is easier for them to become leaders in our community."
