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BOBBY ARDOIN Editor/Consulting Writer

A 12-month Opelousas Boys And Girls Club program that provides an assortment of enrichment programs for city youths, received a funding enhancement Tuesday from the Opelousas Noon Rotary Club.

Program director Aaron Williams accepted a $6,000 check from proceeds the club obtained from an annual live auction event held last year.

Williams said the Opelousas program affiliated with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Acadiana, features after school and summer activities for about 102 school-age children.

Operating inside a spacious Laurent Street facility, the Boys And Girls Club normally handles 60 kids on a daily basis and provides both academic and life skills initiatives for those who pay a nominal annual fee, Williams told Rotarians.

Facilitating City Youths

Williams acknowledged the need for programs that address a city where he admitted youths are challenged by their environments.

“There is a lot of violence. I feel that there are enough programs. However there is a lack of resources,” Williams noted.

Williams suggested that the school system operating within the city needs improvement, pointing out that in some classrooms students are provided lessons without the benefit of a classroom instructor.

“There are a number of students that are sitting in classes watching monitors,” said Williams.

The Village Concept

Assisting the Opelousas children, Williams added, will also require an individual approach, such as individuals willing to personally mentor and “adopt a kid or two” in order to augment what is already being provided by after school programs.

“I am starting to see a glimmer of hope. It’s going to take that village. We did not get where we are overnight and we will not get there overnight either,” said Williams.

Club Programs

The Boys And Girls Club Williams said, has academic, lifestyle and leadership programs available for the participants.

Field trips to Baton Rouge where club members tour the State Capitol, LSU and Southern University and meet with state lawmakers are available, while academically the youths are provided with ACT testing preparations and tutoring.

Meals and snacks are provided during the school months. Occasionally students who attend the cooking classes, will prepare their own meals, said Williams.

Occasionally Williams said he coordinates and discusses matters with other city youth-oriented programs such as Hope For Opelousas.

Expansion

Williams said there strong consideration is being given for locating another Boys and Girls Club facility elsewhere in Opelousas.

“We are looking at opening another club in other neighborhoods, but we are doing that with our funding committee. We are looking at major funding events at this point, but we haven’t gotten to that point just yet,” added Williams.

Authors

  • Bobby Ardoin
  • Courtney Jennings is a contributing writer with St. Landry Now since 2023 covering local events throughout the parish. She also runs the local publication MacaroniKID Acadia-St. Landry, an online publication and weekly e-newsletter on family friendly activities, local events, and community resources for parents.

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