FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Peter Poon Kwong, poonkwong@bgcsctn.org
Boys & Girls Clubs of South Central Tennessee Waives Teen Membership Fees to Expand Access and Opportunity
COLUMBIA, October 21, 2024 — Boys & Girls Clubs of South Central Tennessee (BGCSCTN), a leading youth development organization, announced a major initiative to waive all membership fees for its current teen members and for new teen enrollees. This bold move is part of the Club’s commitment to ensuring that no young person is prevented from accessing vital programs due to financial barriers. The initiative will expand access to the Club’s transformative programs for teens in Maury and Giles County, where the demand for youth services continues to rise.
“I think the fee structure can definitely be a barrier for some families, ” said Haley Johnson, Teen Services Director. “Especially for teens who might think, ‘My parents can’t afford this,’ or feel unsure about asking because they’re not sure if their family can handle the cost. Eliminating that barrier really creates a more level playing field, giving more kids access to the mentorship and resources we provide.” As a mother herself, Johnson understands the impact: “Twenty-five dollars a week adds up—over a month, that’s $100, which could be daycare or gas money. For some families, $25 to $65 a week could mean the difference between paying a bill or keeping the lights on. Removing these fees for middle and high schoolers helps lift that financial burden off parents.”
“Our mission is to support the whole family,” Johnson added. “By easing the financial strain, we help parents manage other responsibilities, like sports and extracurriculars. We don’t want teens to have to choose between coming to the Club and pursuing what they love—they should be able to do both.”
Recent data highlights the need for expanded services. Tennessee ranking 41st in the nation for youth mental health. One in five teens has seriously contemplated suicide, underscoring the urgent need for mental health support. Every day, over 170,000 children in the state return to homes without adult supervision, including more than 4,130 children living in poverty in Maury and Giles counties. Among them, nearly 17% are under 5 years old. For older students in middle and high school over 60% of depend on free or reduced-price lunches. A 8.6% dropout rate compounds their risk, both mentally and economically.
The fee waiver for teens is just the beginning of BGCSCTN’s broader plans to expand its reach. Ginny Wright, CEO of BGCSCTN, noted that recent fundraising efforts, including a highly successful gala that raised over $300,000, have positioned the Club to increase its capacity. “We’re planning to serve more and more kids across the communities in our region. Waiving fees for teens is the first step in this expansion, and we plan to reduce fees for all other members in the near future,” Wright explained.
“No child should miss out on opportunities to grow, learn, and succeed due to financial constraints,” Wright emphasized. “By removing these barriers, we’re ensuring that more young people in our community have access to the support they need to achieve success in school, in life, and beyond.”
When asked about the teen membership fee waiver, long-time staff member Ms. Shirlene from the Columbia Center shared, “I think this is one of the most generous and impactful ideas we’ve had in a long time. I really believe it will boost our membership, and I’m excited to see how it grows.” Even Club members, like Daniel, who has been with the Boys & Girls Club for seven years, expressed his gratitude for the Teen Center. “Boys & Girls Club [Teen Center] is a fun place where I can hang out and meet new friends. It’s a chill environment,” he said. The impact of this initiative is already being felt by families. One parent, battling the financial strain of medical bills following a cancer diagnosis, expressed her gratitude after learning the fees for her children had been waived: “I really just burst out in tears. If you knew how much this meant to me. I’ve stayed up at night trying to find ways to cover all my bills. This is truly a blessing.”
Although the initiative is expected to boost membership, it also compounds the challenge of keeping teens engaged with the Club’s programs. Haley Johnson shared her thoughts on the anticipated rise in teen participation: ” Serving more middle and high school students does come with challenges. By the time kids reach us, they’ve usually found some extracurricular passion, whether it’s sports or other activities. This means they’re not always at Club, but it gives us the opportunity to support them outside of it.”
“The real challenge,” she continued, “is staying relevant to them without interfering with their activities. How do we encourage them to come to the Club after they’ve had a long day of practice? That’s something I’m looking forward to figuring out.”
Boys & Girls Clubs of South Central Tennessee remains committed to expanding its services and ensuring that every young person in the region can access the tools and resources necessary for success. As part of its long-term vision, the Club is focused on removing financial barriers and providing high-quality programs that offer opportunities for academic achievement, healthy lifestyles, and the development of good character and citizenship.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of South Central Tennessee
The vision of Boys & Girls Clubs of South Central Tennessee is to provide a world-class Club Experience that ensures success is within reach for every young person who enters our doors. Founded in 1999, Boys & Girls Clubs of South Central Tennessee serves more than 1,500 youth annually across three Clubhouse sites and eleven school-based locations. In partnership with Maury County Public Schools since 2016, the Club has expanded its reach to provide vital services to children and families throughout the region.
For more information about Boys & Girls Clubs of South Central Tennessee and its programs, please visit BGCSCTN.