Vision to Reality: Teen Center Coming Soon
By summer/fall 2021, the 16,000 square foot center will provide space for teens and BGCMR alumni to advance academically, prepare for post-secondary education and develop skills for life readiness.
“In 2015, we partnered with the Forum For Youth Investment on a new programmatic strategic plan where we discovered the need for more out-of-school programs and services created specifically for teens, our alumni and opportunity youth,” said Todd McFarlane, President & CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Richmond (BGCMR). “Fast forward to summer/fall of 2021, our vision to fulfill this need and potential will become a reality.”
For nearly 70 years, BGCMR has invested in improving the odds of youth who live in historically marginalized communities to succeed in life. Today, the organization has five strategically located clubs in the east end, northside and southside of Richmond as well as Petersburg, offering programs for youth ages 10-23.
“If you look at our Clubs today, they are mainly designed to provide out-of-school time experiences for elementary-aged boys and girls,” explained McFarlane. “Our middle and high schoolers needed and wanted their own larger space that meets their age-specific developmental needs, interests and culturally-relevant experiences with their peers.”
To learn and prepare for its new center, BGCMR opened up a teen space last year within the leading-edge Market @ 25th development in the East End. Designed by teens and with an occupancy of about 25 youth, the organization held teen-specific programs before the pandemic then virtually and in small groups throughout the spring and summer. Among the activities these youth have enjoyed include goLEAD, an accredited leadership empowerment training program, BGCMR’s Youth of the Year program and conversations with guest speakers such as Mitch Landrieu, former Mayor of New Orleans and Founder and President of E Pluribus Unum, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization whose mission is to build a more just, equitable, and inclusive South.
“Our middle and high schoolers needed and wanted their own larger space that meets their age-specific developmental needs, interests and culturally-relevant experiences with their peers.”
In December 2019, with help from many partners and generous donors, the organization purchased the Eastlawn Shopping Center property in Creighton Court. When the renovations are completed by summer/fall 2021, the 16,000 square foot center will provide space for teens and BGCMR alumni to advance academically, prepare for post-secondary education, explore their interests and careers and develop social and emotional skills for life readiness. In the future, an additional 12,000 square feet of space will be built out for use by community organizations as well as other partners to provide complementary services.
Built as a flexible space with internet access and laptops/tablets throughout the building, teens will be able to do their homework, receive academic support, and participate in a host of programs and activities. The goals are to ensure they are proficient in reading, writing and math; performing academically to advance to their next grade and pursue activities of interest that will advance them to achieving a successful post-high school life.
When the new center opens, its main features and programs/services will include:
Meeting/Performing Arts: The auditorium with seating for up to 80 people will be a place for teens and young adults to study and perform in the arts such as poetry jams, dance classes, music and drama rehearsals, and more. The space also will be used for career/job fairs, town hall meetings, etc., for the broader community.
Home Theatre: Holding up to 25-30 people, youth will be able to find and express their voices by creating and showing their artwork, presentations and documentaries. The space also will be used for smaller community events, speakers, etc.
Huddle Spaces: Designated areas for teens and young adults to do their homework, receive educational support, college preparatory help and career training and counseling with an emphasis on developing technical and soft skills such as mock interviews, resume’ development, posture, follow through, promptness, accepting feedback and more.
Maker Spaces: Entrepreneurial activities and hands-on workshops for teens and youth to experience early on the joys of innovation such as robotics and 3D printing as well as coaching on how to create and operate a successful business.
Digital Arts/Sound Studio: A space for teens and young adults to amplify their voice and advance their technology skills in the areas of web programming and development, digital art design, streaming music and video creation, podcasts and more.
Future Kitchen: A well-equipped kitchen to expose teens to culinary skills as well as good healthy eating habits. The space also will be used for community food drives and more.
“This center’s purpose is to help teens and young adults across the Metro Richmond region who are facing the toughest of odds…beat those odds and live a happier, healthier and productive life,” McFarlane concluded. “But it’s also important to know that our facility is open to all, designed to be a community asset for parents and adults in and around the Richmond region.”
“This center’s purpose is to help teens and young adults across the Metro Richmond region who are facing the toughest of odds…beat those odds
and live a happier, healthier
and productive life.”
