Boys and Girls Club altering brand to better provide services for local children

“The club has changed because the needs of the kids have changed.”  Scott Spahr, Chief Executive Officer of the Boys and Girls Club of Shelbyville.

Celebrating 70 years of serving families in Shelbyville and Shelby County, the Boys and Girls Club of Shelbyville is creating new ways to better serve its community.

On Friday, the club held an Open House to show off innovative changes to programming to fit the needs of today’s children.

“Each generation had their own struggles but I think mental health is really, in my opinion, a pandemic we are dealing with now,” said Spahr (main photo). “Kids and adults don’t know how to deal with what is going on inside of us. So we had to change our format a little bit to focus on mental health and STEM and learning loss. We are still a fun club. You can still come in here and have fun but the activities are more organized.”

The local club at 710 S. Miller St. now has a dedicated kindergarten room, a homework room, an Exergame room and a new Tween Center that will focus on workforce development through learning games.

Tween Center at the boys and girls club

The club also provides hot meals to members as well as tutoring and counseling.

“We have to focus on trying to get these kids to learn there is something out there for them as they get older,” said Spahr. “I think the workforce development is a good way to go.”

Exergame room at the boys and girls club

Shelbyville Mayor Scott Furgeson attended the open house and read a proclamation honoring the boys club for 70 years of service.

“We talk in the city all the time about our shortcomings and the citizens we need to help more than others,” said Furgeson. “I think the club has realized that and is making a really concerned effort on making sure people get the needed help they can get. This is a great environment to provide that help.”

Kindergarten room at the boys and girls club

The Boys and Girls Club of Shelby County will have four units once the Southwestern branch opens later this year to match units in Morristown and Waldron. The club now has over 1,000 members and serves approximately 500 kids per day.

Fundraising is a year-round endeavor for Spahr, especially with the opening of a fourth unit in southern Shelby County.

“We do need funding,” said Spahr. “Our budget is $1 million but 28% of that comes SCUFFY and we are grateful for that. We still have to raise the other 72%. We are doing that now with grants but we need individual giving and corporation giving.”

To make a donation or to sign up children for membership, go to www.shelbycountybgc.com.

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