THE PLAYERS
The mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida is to inspire and empower all young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to develop the skills and self-reliance necessary to become productive, responsible, and caring citizens.
Chartered on July 23, 1962 with a site for one Club at Liberty and 10th Streets in Jacksonville, Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida serves nearly 9,000 young people annually at eleven facilities, each strategically placed to serve those who need them the most. Young members are rising above daunting circumstances to build a brighter future for themselves and for our communities in Duval, Nassau, and St. Johns counties.
It was in March 2005 when the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida brought their research-based, nationally proven youth development programs to the youth of West Augustine. Through collaboration with the Florida Low Income Housing Association, the St. Augustine Boys & Girls Club currently operates in Woodlawn Terrace; but within its first six weeks of operation the Club was already at capacity.
Through the generosity of THE PLAYERS Championship, a lead gift was secured for a new permanent facility in West Augustine. The proposed 15,000 square foot facility will sit on three acres in Chase Park and will be called THE PLAYERS Championship Boys & Girls Club. The Club will have a gym, game room, learning center, computer lab, arts & crafts room, kitchen, teen center, and park.
As members enter the Club, they find trained, caring youth development professionals who are dedicated to helping them achieve desired life outcomes. From among the Boys & Girls Clubs’ research-based, nationally tested curricula and programs, the following is the five program areas that are used at the Club to help youth in achieving their outcomes:
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Character Development and Leadership Development empowers youth to support and influence their Club and community, sustain meaningful relationships with others, develop a positive self-image, participate in the democratic process, and respect their own and others' cultural identities.
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Education and Career Development enables youth to become proficient in basic educational disciplines, apply learning to everyday situations, and embrace technology to optimize employability.
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Health and Life Skills develops young people's capacity to engage in positive behaviors that nurture their own well-being, set personal goals and develop the competencies to live successfully as self-sufficient adults.
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The Arts enables youth to develop their creativity and cultural awareness through knowledge and appreciation of visual and tactile arts and crafts, performing arts, and creative writing.
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Sports, Fitness and Recreation develops fitness, positive use of leisure time, skills for stress management, appreciation for the environment and social, and interpersonal skills.
When young people enter the St. Augustine Boys & Girls Club, they find the tools, motivation and support they need to rise above the challenges that currently beset their neighborhood. The new facility will allow the number of members reached by the Boys & Girls Club in St. Augustine to double. Support is still needed from the community and businesses to help in raising the money needed to break ground on the new facility. Donations toward the building fund for THE PLAYERS Championship Club are always welcomed.
For further information about the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida and their presence in St. Augustine please visit www.bgcnf.org.