I don't know how many folks realize this, but the Cawood Ledford Boys & Girls Club has been around for an entire decade!!! Ten full years of serving kids equals thousands of children playing in our sports leagues...thousands of children learning how to resist the temptations of drugs...thousands of children walking through our doors to get guidance and love from a staff of professionals who become family to them. When I started this job in 2004, the first dedicated youth facility had just opened it's doors at the former Loyall Elementary School. We relocated to Central Street in 2005 and then finally moved into our shiny, new Cawood Ledford Clubhouse in August of 2007. In those 6 years, I've met so many young people who have made an impression on me....young people who have faced circumstances that I cannot even imagine.
Throughout all of it, the events of this past year and the children I have worked during these past twelve months have affected me more that any of the past 6 years. Earlier this year, and in a span of less than 2 months, 13 of our kids witnessed someone die in their home because of a drug overdose. We have taken children to lunch so their mother could go to the funeral home to make arrangements for their father. We have stood behind children as they said their final goodbyes to their brother lying in a coffin. We have helped children pack their clothes to go to foster care and watched as they sorted used hypodermic needles out of their belongings. I'm not exaggerating or trying to be dramatic. Every word is true. It is the harsh reality that some of our children see every single day.
Their lives are inconsistent. Many of our children don't know who will be in the home when they get there in the evening. They may not know if food will be on the table that night. They don't know if mom will be too high to tuck them in. But there is one thing they can rely on...the Club. We will be here for them day in and day out. They know that when they walk through the door, they will have adults who love and care about them. They know that they have a safe and secure place to play, study, learn, and have fun. We've been around for them for 10 years and we plan to be here for them 110 more. I want to say thanks to our community for making sure that Harlan County's youth have the Club. Happy Birthday to us!!!
