When I first started working at the Club in 2004, the average age of the children we served was probably around 8. The Club was for little kids...at least that is what the teens thought who walked by the Club everyday and saw it swarming with elementary school students. That's definitely not the case these days. We have a thriving teen population. This wasn't something that came easily, though. We had to "grow" our teens....meaning- we took kids when they were young and made our programming consistently relevant for them. We listened to them, surveyed them, took note of what programs they attended (and which ones they skipped) and used that to keep them engaged. The result of our diligence- a great group of teenagers! Our teens speak to our elected officials about problems facing our youth. They act as tutors and mentors to our younger kids. They give up their Saturdays to clean trash in the neighborhood. But it's not all work and no play...they have dance parties and video game tournaments. They go on field trips to locations as near as the Harlan Cinema Four or as far as Washington, DC. They watch Broadway plays. But it is through these activities that they bond and learn to rely on one another. It is these activities that the strongest of friendships are made.
Tonight, our teens bid farewell to a couple of their own. Sara Donahue and Mimi Boggs leave for college this week. This is incredibly bittersweet for the staff. As much as we are going to miss these two phenomenal young women, we are so excited to celebrate their accomplishments. We have had kids who were semi-active with Club activities graduate high school and go to college. However, Sara and Mimi are the first ones who have remained active in Club activities through graduation and until matriculation. They will be official alumni of the Cawood Ledford Boys & Girls Club! Tonight, the teens and staff will bid them adieu with dinner at El Charritos- the celebration location of choice for our teens. It will be difficult to tell them goodbye, but I know that both of these young women have great things in store for them. Sara wants to pursue a degree in teaching from University of the Cumberlands and Mimi wants to go into veterinary medicine and will begin her college career at Sewanee. We are all so proud of them and look forward to seeing them accomplish great things over these next few years. We've decided to hang their college pennants in our Club as a reminder to the "little kids" of what happens when you work hard to pursue your goals. We hope it will serve as an inspiration for them to grow in the Club, graduate high school and attend the college of their choice. Then they can hang their college pennant in the Club for all to see. Who knows? Maybe in a few years our wall will be covered in college colors ranging from UK blue to Harvard crimson. Wow! That will be so cool!!!
