Happy New Year

We’re wrapping up an incredible year at Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley in 2023. We hit some major milestones and achieved great things for our members. We marked our 80th anniversary in the region, became a debt-free organization, and expanded with two new Clubs in Claiborne County, while relocating our Blount County Club to First Baptist Church of Alcoa.

These accomplishments are a result of the strong commitment from our community, board, and staff to ensure every child in our region has the opportunities and relationships needed to reach their full potential and contribute to their community. While these organizational achievements are exciting, what truly matters to us is the impact we’ve made on individual kids and their families.

Consider the 50+ young members in our new Pre-K program, receiving instruction and social development to start kindergarten ready to learn. Over 80% of them are proficient in key kindergarten readiness measures, giving them an early academic advantage. This not only benefits the kids but also allows their parents to work more hours, providing more for their families.

Our members are also staying physically fit and learning about health and nutrition. They are active in our Clubs, participating in cooking clubs for healthy meal preparation. During our partnership with the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon, our members logged the equivalent of more than 117 marathons.

The Youth Arts Initiative allowed over 850 members to explore their talents, resulting in a stunning performance at the Tennessee Theatre. 94% reported improved self-confidence after the program.

Our College and Career Readiness program served over 1,100 students, boasting a 98% graduation rate and a 70% post-secondary enrollment rate for the 2022-23 school year. 100% of these members gained relevant job skills to their career interests.

Our Youth of the Year, Reece, from our Lenoir City Club, embodies the mission of our work. From an 8-year-old boy to a motivated leader, Reece left the Club with college scholarship money and a vision to change the world through caring.

While we celebrate these successes, we recognize there’s more work ahead. The need for kids and families is at an all-time high, but with the “Whatever It Takes” mindset, we’re ready to meet those needs and build our next generation. Looking ahead to 2024 and beyond, we anticipate new partnerships, communities, Clubs, and a greater impact on kids in East Tennessee. Here’s to making a difference together!

– Bart McFadden
President & CEO