ATLANTA— The Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta (BGCMA) and The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation are excited to announce The Shaquille O’Neal Boys & Girls Club of Henry County. The first ever Club in Henry County is slated to open in mid-August and will serve up to 200 kids and teens each day at its renovated facility housed in the former Henry County Middle School (located at 166 Holly Smith Drive in McDonough, GA).
“We are thrilled to offer a safe, inclusive & engaging environment to kids and teens in Henry County,” said BGCMA President & CEO David Jernigan. “As we look beyond the pandemic, we must acknowledge and address the social, emotional and academic challenges that our kids face in its aftermath. The launch of our new Shaquille O’Neal Boys & Girls Club of Henry County is a community response to a critical need at a crucial time.”
A grassroots community-driven effort has been underway for years to bring a Boys & Girls Club to the City of McDonough. But it was a $1,000,000 commitment from The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation that provided the resources needed to open the Club.
“The Boys & Girls Club was part of my life growing up. It was a safe space to go after school and helped keep me out of trouble. I want the same for kids in Henry County. Upon starting my Foundation, this Club became our first priority,” said NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal, who calls McDonough home.
BGCMA has also received overwhelming support from Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the City of McDonough, Henry County, the Henry County Board of Education, and several other partners including a local advisory board which led a three-year community engagement effort to bring a Club to the area.
“Words cannot express how incredibly grateful we are to Henry County and the City of McDonough for pledging a combined total of $900,000 for the first three years of operation. This puts our new Club in an excellent position for sustainability and shows just how committed we are in ensuring our youth have a safe & supportive environment during critical after-school hours and beyond,” said Henry County Board of Commissioners Chair Carlotta Harrell.
“The alignment of demonstrated need, community support, public funding, and eager school partners has created exceptional conditions for Boys & Girls Clubs to have a presence—for the first time ever—in Henry County, and we look forward to the great impact our new Club has on kids & teens,” said Boys & Girls Club of America President & CEO Jim Clark.
Renovations are underway to repurpose the Club space to include a learning center, computer lab, arts & crafts center, music studio, game room, multipurpose room, and gym. The Club will share space with Henry County Schools Learning and Support Center, home to several district departments and community support programs. Co-locating with these community partners will enable BGCMA to be part of a robust continuum of service for youth and families.
The Shaquille O’Neal Boys & Girls Club of Henry County will be led by Executive Director Debra Pickett, Program Director Jesse Coltrane, and Teen Director Breanna Varner. Pickett assumed her role July 1 and brings more than 20 years of youth development experience that includes teaching and youth counseling. Coltrane assumed his role July 20 and brings 17 years of youth development experience, most recently serving as Program Director of BGCMA’s Camp Kiwanis. Varner, a native of McDonough, also assumed her role on July 20 and returns from Valdosta, Georgia, where she worked as the Assistant Teen Director for the Boys & Girls Club.
The Club is actively recruiting full and part-time staff. Applicants can inquire and apply for open positions at www.bgcma.org/careers. Families who are interested in enrolling their kids & teens should complete a pre-application interest form at https://tinyurl.com/EnrollHenryCounty.
A community open house and a dedication ceremony are forthcoming.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta (BGCMA): For more than 80 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 11 counties across metropolitan Atlanta have traditionally served nearly 3000 Club members (ages 6-18) each day, 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), LinkedIn (Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta), and Instagram (bgcmATL), or visit us online at www.bgcma.org.
About The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation: The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation creates pathways for underserved youth, helping them achieve their full potential. Established in 2019 by the NBA Hall of Famer, television sports analyst and entrepreneur Shaquille O’Neal, the Foundation works to instill hope and bring about change in communities, collectively shaping a brighter future for our children. While primarily partnered with Boys & Girls Clubs and Communities in Schools in Atlanta and Las Vegas, the Foundation will simultaneously support Shaquille’s other charitable endeavors, such as his annual Shaq-a-Claus holiday event and initiatives alongside his corporate partners. For more information, visit shaqfoundation.org.