Moving from Tacoma, Washington, Colby Wilson took the helm of Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence last February and has continued the tradition of growing the organization which enables all young people, especially those who need it most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.
The Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence works in their space and local schools serving more than a thousand local children. It is a place where kids play, have fun, experience joy, laugh, and learn about themselves and the larger world they live in. Kids are also given guidance to choose right from wrong.
Their numbers are impressive:
- 2,376 youth enrolled during the 2011/2012 school year
- 1,039 average daily attendance during the school year
- 517 average daily attendance for 2012 summer program
- 12 Boys & Girls Club sites
- 18 schools served, 14 elementary and 4 middle schools
- 40 community partners
- 130 volunteers
At the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence, they serve one purpose: to inspire and enable young people to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. They do this through Club programs and services that promote and enhance the development of boys and girls by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging and influence.
He was especially excited to tell us the story of Trei Dudley, from Lawrence, who is the Boys & Girls Club National Youth of the Year. From 5 years old and on the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence (B&GCL) served as both a refuge and resource for Trei Dudley. Trei went through the B&GCL program, starting in kindergarten and attending through high school until graduating from Free State. For more information about Trei or the Lawrence chapter of the B&GC their Website.
