The Boys and Girls Clubs of the Heartland last year faced a dilemma.
“It was a wonderful problem to have,” BGCH Chief Operating Officer Chris Rushin told the DAR. “We have too many teen members, and not enough space to serve them.”
Rushin said BGCH daily teen attendance a decade ago was approximately 25 members, and that number nearly tripled in recent years.
The organization, headquartered at Poplar Bluff, formerly used the vacant ROTC building at the Poplar Bluff Middle School for its programs. But because of BGCH after-school activities’ popularity, additional space was needed to accommodate members, he explained.
The CEO went to work and offered a lecture of sorts that detailed the issue at a Poplar Bluff Lions Club meeting, Rushin noted.
Some Lions in attendance are Poplar Bluff United Methodist Church members, and they approached Pastor David Stewart with the CEO’s concerns.
“They realized the need,” Stewart said. “I told Chris if we can be of help, just let us know.
“It’s exciting for church members to see the Christian Life Center (CLC) used to reach the community,” the pastor added. “It’s a huge blessing.”
The facility at 500 N. Main St. includes a gymnasium and classrooms, he said.
The CLC hosts between 65 and 75 teens on any given afternoon, BGCH Executive Club Director Robbie Toth explained. She added the on-site gymnasium is a positive draw for many members.
“We’ve been able to get more teens who are interested in sports to attend,” Toth said. “Some of these kids don’t always have a spot to play basketball, volleyball and other sports.”
Toth noted BGCH members receive a full meal after school, then are shuttled to the CLC, where an hour of tutoring takes place.
“We call that Power Hour,” she says. “Junior High educators are on hand to help with schoolwork.”
Members then proceed to an assortment of programs and club meetings, which include a wide variety of hobbies and fascinations, Toth explained.
“Teens socialize with peers they might not normally know from school,” she noted. “They share interests in common, and that fosters friendships that add a measure of quality to their lives.”
Stewart said the partnership not only benefits his congregation of about 500 members, but him spiritually, as well.
“Teens have a safe place to meet and it’s dovetailed real well with our Wednesday night services,” the pastor said. “It’s just really exciting to walk in and see leaders doing a great job communicating with kids.
“They recognize me and talk with me,” he added. “It’s a wonderful experience.”
Activities wrap at 6:30 p.m. daily, although all-day camps are scheduled from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. during school collaboration days, Rushin explained.
“We’ve had a terrific response from members,” Rushin said of the partnership. “Our goal is setting up students for success in the future.
“Kids grow up with us,” the CEO continued. “We offer after-school kindergarten activities at the kindergarten center, first-grade through sixth-grade activities at all four elementary schools and middle-school activities at the middle school.”
Rushin said the explosive number of students enrolled in the programs requires a great number of staff, and more paid staff members are needed.
For more information, access the BGCH website at https://bgcpb.org.
Pastor Stewart may be reached through the church office at 573-785-1439.