Guest Commentary: Season of giving offers opportunity to invest in our children, future
Giving is more impactful, and important, than ever before.
Hurricane Ian brought to light the many needs across our community, like affordable housing, hunger and social services.
One issue that was prevalent before the storm, and remains a paramount concern today, is our children. An investment in our youth is an investment in our future as a community. Southwest Florida is fortunate to have world-class public school systems and top-notch private schools, but how are we investing in our youth outside of school hours?
About five years ago, I began researching local nonprofits, evaluating their missions, visions and goals. I wanted to give my time and resources to an organization focused on our region’s future through our children. Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County’s mission is “to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens.” One word in that statement stands out — all.
All parents — doctors, nurses, restaurant servers, legal professionals, law enforcement officers, construction workers, accountants, day laborers and others — face the same challenge of finding high-quality, affordable after-school and summer programs, a task that has grown increasingly difficult as our region’s population continues to soar. All children deserve opportunities to explore and pursue their passions with guidance from caring professionals.
Founded in 1974, Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County is an established organization with a proven track record of success. Members range from 6 to 18 years old and demonstrate high levels of academic performance, good character and citizenship. While many programs center on a singular area, Boys & Girls Clubs focus on outcome-driven experiences across five core areas: education and career, health and wellness, service and leadership, sports and recreation, and the arts. This helps develop a whole child, not just one or two pieces.
After many years of operating small-but-mighty programs, Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County is poised for significant growth. I was happy to contribute a lead gift to help purchase the new Park Meadows Community Club, a flagship location in Fort Myers that will be able to accommodate up to 600 children and teens annually. Upcoming renovations will create enclosed activity centers, a tech center, gaming room, central member hub and seating pods. Outside, a covered sports pavilion and multipurpose sports field will expand athletic opportunities for members. Perhaps one of the most exciting features will be a new Teen Center that provides a separate space for older members to socialize, study, dance and play games. For so long, teens in our community lacked a safe space that was relevant and cool, and Park Meadows will become the region’s new teen hub.
For decades, Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County operated in relative obscurity. It was viewed as a place for lower-income families and a backup plan for those who couldn’t find another after-school option. That has changed. Clubs are conveniently located, affordable, open to all families and offer comprehensive programming to support the whole child. Children and teens WANT to be members.
Investors want to see a return on their investment, and Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County offers plenty of evidence — homework assistance and tutoring to improve academic achievement, mentoring to guide youth to make positive decisions and a safe environment that focuses on the overall well-being of members.
This holiday season, please consider investing in our future by supporting Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County. The organization is raising money to renovate the Park Meadows Community Club in addition to supporting local families by making monthly registration fees even more affordable. For more information, please visit BGClee.org.
— Maylene Kiang Wu is president of the board of directors for Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County