The Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties recently celebrated the grand opening of the Malcolm Family Teen Center at the Louis and Gloria Flanzer Boys & Girls Club in Arcadia.
The newly renovated facility represents a major milestone in the organization’s mission to empower youth and expand opportunities for teens in DeSoto County, officials said.
The Malcolm Family Teen Center is designed to help teens succeed beyond high school through programs led by youth development professionals and subject matter experts. Focused on academic success, college and career readiness, workforce development, leadership and wellness, the center also provides space for hands-on experiences such as vocational training, resume-building, and youth-led advocacy.
“This is a game-changer for DeSoto County teens,” said Bill Sadlo, president/CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota/DeSoto. “When the Louis and Gloria Flanzer Boys & Girls Club opened in 2018, we had the capacity to only serve children ages 6 to 11. Today, it’s evolved into a full-service Boys & Girls Club with this final addition of a dedicated center for teens. We are deeply committed to supporting teens through this critical stage of life, and we’re immensely grateful to Kirk and Rae Malcolm for their incredible generosity. ”
Arcadia Mayor Judy Wertz-Strickland presented an official proclamation to commemorate the occasion.
“The Malcolm Family Teen Center is more than just a space. It’s a resource, a support system and a launching point. And the impact will go far beyond these walls,” said Sofia Gilot, Louis and Gloria Flanzer Boys & Girls Club director. “The teens we serve here today are the future leaders of our community. By investing in them, we’re investing in the future of DeSoto County.”
Guests at the ribbon-cutting ceremony included representatives from DeSoto County Schools, donors, Boys & Girls Clubs leadership and Club members, and local dignitaries.
“There is no question about it. The mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs is incredibly important,” State Sen. Ben Albritton said. “The opportunity to invest in young people’s lives and help them understand what it means to be successful in life, how to overcome hurdles, essentially, how to live a better life and be productive and good members of society – that is incredible value. DeSoto Countians are going to win every single day from this investment.”
To learn more about the opportunities available for middle and high school students at the Malcolm Family Teen Center, visit theclubsdc.org.
Submitted by Sara Howe
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties celebrates new teen center in Arcadia
Reporting by Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
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