By David Jernigan, President & CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta
I could open this story with a series of devastating headlines about teens in Metro Atlanta. However, instead of focusing on their shadows, I’d prefer to take this opportunity to project their light.
“A masterpiece in the making is a perfect phrase to describe who I am. I am constantly growing and improving in all areas of my life,” said Jaden T., a 17-year-old high school senior with plans to attend Howard University and study political science next fall. She says attending Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Youth Days of Advocacy in Washington, D.C., opened her eyes to endless career paths. “My end goal is to become an attorney and work in the nation’s Capital as a policymaker. I want to positively impact the world by providing support to those who feel unheard and make great changes that will benefit the masses.”
Jaden T. is our reigning Youth of the Year and a stellar example of exceptional teens I have the pleasure of meeting day in and day out as President & CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta (BGCMA). While I know news headlines often capture hard truths about the state of our society and paint a different image of our youth, I wholeheartedly believe that when teens are provided safe, inclusive and engaging environments, they (like Jaden) absolutely thrive.
That’s why I am excited for BGCMA’s partnership with the City of Atlanta and Mayor Andre Dickens’ Year of the Youth initiative, a collaborative community effort aimed at enhancing the lives of Atlanta’s youth through a variety of educational, recreational, and mentorship programs. Through this initiative, BGCMA is slated to receive a generous $1 million donation.
Over my 24 years advocating for our youth, I’ve witnessed various initiatives, but this unified effort is truly unprecedented and monumental. It reflects a shared vision for a brighter future, one where our young people are supported, empowered, and given every opportunity to soar.
At BGCMA, our mission is to ignite the unlimited potential of kids and teens across our 25 Clubs spread across 10 area counties providing safe, inclusive, and engaging environments. We accomplish this through a range of programs focused on promoting healthy lifestyles, academic support, character and leadership development, and workforce readiness. And our dedicated youth development professionals and volunteer leaders are integral parts of the village shaping the lives of children in our communities.
With the generous $1 million donation from the City of Atlanta, BGCMA is poised to expand our impact in several key areas. First and foremost, we will invest in additional staffing to increase accessibility for more youth, ensuring that no child is left behind. This expansion will not only broaden our reach but also deepen our impact, especially on the lives of teenagers who often face unique challenges and opportunities.
Academic success is fundamental to our mission, and to reinforce this, we will leverage Academic Support Coaches to provide enhanced academic assistance, making educational achievement a reality for every child we serve. Additionally, recognizing the importance of technology in the lives of today’s youth, we will invest in technology infrastructure to provide exposure to STEM-related content and equip our young members with essential skills for the future.
Transportation barriers should never hinder a child’s access to our programs. Therefore, we will invest in teen-focused transportation solutions to ensure that every teenager who wants to participate can do so easily. Furthermore, in response to the evolving needs and interests of our teenage members, we will extend our operating hours on identified Friday and Saturday evenings, introducing exciting teen-only programming such as music production and e-sports.
We are also proud to announce the establishment of a Teen Ambassadors Program. This innovative initiative empowers our teens to become advocates for positive change within their communities through peer-to-peer recruitment and retention via social media content generation and special events.
CALL TO ACTION: As we embark on this journey to scale our services and safe spaces for Atlanta’s teens, we invite other companies and organizations in the area to join us in our efforts. By coming together as a community, we can amplify our impact and provide even greater opportunities for our youth to succeed.
The Year of the Youth Initiative is not just about a single donation or a single organization—it’s about a collective commitment to the future of our city. It requires a collective effort from all sectors of our community. Therefore, I urge local businesses to join us in this crucial mission. Together, we can make a profound difference in the lives of young people across our city and create a brighter tomorrow for us all.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta (BGCMA): For 85 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta (BGCMA) has ignited the unlimited potential of kids and teens by creating safe, inclusive, and engaging environments. Our 25 Clubs located in 10 counties across metropolitan Atlanta serves approximately 7,000 kids & teens (ages 6-18) each year, offering youth development programs during critical non-school hours that promote academic success, healthy lifestyles, and character & leadership. BGCMA also oversees Camp Kiwanis, a 160-acre outdoor residence camp. To learn more about BGCMA, follow us on social media: Twitter (@BGCMA_Clubs), Facebook (BGCMA), TikTok (BGCMAtl), LinkedIn (Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta), and Instagram (bgcmATL), or visit us online at www.bgcma.org.
