Billy Redd presents a thank you plaque to the members of Leadership Madison who made renovations possible in the teen center at the Boys and Girls Club of Canton. The team members are Brant Ryan, Lise Foy, Mary Jackson, Tashmia Prowell and Bary Prather (not pictured). (Bill Barksdale | Special to The Herald)
Teenage members of the Canton Unit of Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Mississippi have new digs.
The Teen Center was in desperate need of improvement. The organization expressed that need to one team of Leadership Madison County, which took on a rehabilitation project to improve that area of the Community Center.
Team “Mission Improvement” consists of Brant Ryan with Adams and Reese LLP, Tashmia Prowell-Turner with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, Mary Jackson with Comcast, Barry Prather with Community Bank and Lise Foy with the Canton Chamber Main Street Association.
The group worked for several months, gathering donations and supplies to transform the space designated for teens into a positive learning environment.
At the grand re-opening ceremony last week, Billy Redd addressed many community members and supporters of the club.
“The team has fully bought into the idea that they are helping us make life changing investments in the lives of teens in Canton,” said Redd, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Mississippi.
“By making the teen center a more inviting atmosphere, more teens will want to be a part of the club.”
Teens have new books, tables and chairs, computers and electronics and a game room. The rooms are bright and sharp with ceiling and floor improvements. Curtains are coming soon.
All of Madison County was involved with donating about 95 percent of the renovations. The group raised $4,000 in cash donations as well as in-kind services from local contractor, Steve Gaddis with Riverdale Construction and T&J Janitorial Services who assisted with painting and cleaning.
Construction supplies were donated by Home Depot of Madison. Furniture and room decor was donated by Adams and Reese, BankPlus and Tate’s Furniture.
Books were donated by local individuals, Union Street Books in Canton, Barnes & Noble in Madison and the city of Madison Public Library.
The Canton unit is one of six Jackson-area clubs that serve more than 3,200 youth in the areas of character and leadership, education and career development, health and life skills, arts education and fitness and recreation.
Ninety-two percent of Boys & Girls Club members graduate from high school, compared to the state average of 70 percent.
“I think that (Boys & Girls Clubs) is a service that this community needs desperately,” she said.
By Terricha Bradley • tbradley@mcherald.com • April 17, 2012
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About Boys & Girls Clubs
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Mississippi (BGCCM) is a non-profit organization that inspires and enables young people to become successful, responsible citizens. Youth benefit from our trained, caring, professional staff and volunteers who help young people take control of their lives, envision productive futures and reach their goals. Continue reading …