Flint River Community Center Boys & Girls Club

I chose the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta because I wanted to work with youth that needed someone to encourage and believe in them.  When I first started working for the organization, I realized that there are kids out there that may not be the greatest athletes, the best singers, or are in the top of their class academically, but are “regular” kids with strengths and weaknesses that need to be inspired to be the best they can be with what abilities they have.

I have been influenced by a lot of great mentors throughout my career with Boys & Girls Club.  The most influential was the Game room’s Director at the Mimms Boys & Girls Club (Then Cherokee County Boys & Girls Club) named Arfello Gates.

Mr. Gates taught me how to deal with the challenges working with rural kids whose parents haven’t fully accepted a minority director redirecting their children.  He also taught me how to have pride in what you have.  He taught me that even if you don’t have the best facility or location, you must treat it like it’s the best.  He showed me that if your programs are quality then the facility is irrelevant.

“Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small people who find it easier to live in a world they were given than to explore the power they have to change it.  Impossible is an opinion, not a fact.  Impossible is a declaration, not a dare.  Impossible is potential.  Impossible is temporary.  Impossible is nothing!” –  Muhammed Ali

I think the biggest impact we have on the community is diverging.  We are getting raw clay that if we nurture correctly will diverge from certain negative activities in their neighborhoods.  Even if they are the most challenging member, when the opportunity to do right or to do wrong present itself most of them will remember the lessons taught.

What makes the Flint River Club special is the fact that it is in a community that has never had anything like it.  We are a welcomed addition to the neighborhood.