Kevin Lauritsen, Executive Director - Boys & Girls Club of Hendersonville, NC. Photo: Wallace Bohanan

By Wallace Bohanan

During its sixteen years in Henderson County, The Boys & Girls Club has continuously expanded its facility to meet the growing needs of its school-age population. “Our mission is ‘to inspire and enable young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens.’ “This is something we take very seriously,” says Kevin Lauritsen, the Executive Director.

Every school-age child in Henderson County is eligible to attend. With about sixty programs that cover such areas as Education & Career Development, Health & Life Skills Development, Sports, Fitness & Recreation, Character & Leadership Development, and The Arts, it is no wonder that club membership is usually at capacity. Because of the recent expansion that added fifteen thousand square feet and an additional ten thousand square feet of renovation, the club has not yet reached capacity this year.

The Boys & Girls Club facility has a new gymnasium, new classrooms, lots of up-to-date computers, two teen centers, and a new room dedicated to the arts. This was accomplished largely through donations, fund raising, and grants. To ensure that every child has a chance to attend, the fee for each child is only five dollars a year. Most of the children are bused to the club. They come either by school bus or by the club’s bus or vans. They are picked up by their parents or guardians.

The greatest challenge facing the staff and volunteers is helping the youth, who sometimes face great pressure, meet and rise above these pressures. The greatest reward, says Kevin, “is seeing children achieve beyond what they never thought they could. This happens all the time,” he says. “This has happened hundreds if not thousands of times” during Kevin’s ten years with the club.

The Boys & Girls Club of Henderson County serves well over a thousand children a year. There are about as many boys as girls served, with 23% African American, 27% Caucasian, 34% Latino, and 16% multi-racial and others. There are 61% elementary school students, 29% middle school students, and 10% high school students in the club. 93% of the members are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches. (Statistics from 2008)

When asked what contributes to the success of the Boys & Girls Club, Kevin says, “Having a good idea and a commitment to make that idea happen well, attracts good people. That includes staff, volunteers, and donors.” The Boys & Girls Club plans to continue expansion and to continue to improve its services to the school-age population of Henderson County.

Director Kevin Lauritsen helps participants at the club with their creative art endeavors.  Photo: Wallace Bohanan