Nonpro t
BY KAREN CHANEY
BGCGD o ers various services in Richardson.
KAREN CHANEY COMMUNITY IMPACT
Corporations like Pepsico have donated resources.
Boys & Girls Club of Greater Dallas needs volunteers for several activities, including reading with students.
COURTESY BGCGD
KAREN CHANEY COMMUNITY IMPACT
Boys & Girls Club of Greater Dallas celebrates 60 years
Boys & Girls Club of Greater Dallas, of which the Richardson club is a liated, was founded in 1965, Juany Gaytan, vice president of education and well being said. “Our mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens,” Gaytan said. The set up BGCGD Richardson buses pick up students from their schools at the end of the school day. When they arrive at the Richardson club there will be an intentional physical activity in the gym followed by a meal, homework completion and/or tutoring. Then students break into core programs utilizing curriculum provided by Boys & Girls Club of America. BGCGD Richardson club, which originally opened in 1992, accepts children between the ages of 6 and 18 years old who live within Richardson ISD’s attendance boundaries . The club, which is open Monday through Fridays, charges $80 a month per child. Scholarships are available. Sports teams are formed at BGCGD Richardson, including football, basketball and soccer. Partnerships have been formed with other organizations including 4H to supplement BGCA’s programs. “4H provides training to our teenagers, who in
turn teach a lesson to our younger kids,” Gaytan said. “One of the curriculums they use ... teaches healthy eating habits and how to make nutri- tional meals.” Get involved Gaytan said in addition to nancial and supply donations, the Richardson club needs volunteers. Corporations like Pepsico have donated resources to BGCGD. “They can help with homework, read with our members or lead a class like a nancial literacy class. They can teach guitar lessons, art—any area that they’re passionate about that aligns with our core programs,” Gaytan said. “They don’t have to be scared. They won’t be left alone. There will always be a team member with them.” Making an impact Gaytan said when she was a child living in Midland, Texas, she and some of her siblings would walk to a nearby Boys Club where they would all eat nachos and popcorn and Gaytan watched her brothers learn how to box. “Fast forward to my professional experience where I have been a teacher and principal,” Gaytan said. “When this position became available, It was exciting for me to continue to do something with education, but for an organization who had done so much for me and my family.”
STEM programs are available at Boys & Girls Club of Greater Dallas in Richardson.
COURTESY BGCGD
Boys & Girls Club of Greater Dallas at Richardson meets in St. Barnabas Presbyterian Church.
KAREN CHANEY COMMUNITY IMPACT
W. BELT LINE RD.
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1220 W. Belt Line Road, Richardson www.bgcdallas.org
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