Boys & Girls Club of Henderson County: A Nurturing Environment for Youth with Remarkable Results

Boys & Girls Club of Henderson County (BGHC) makes it possible for parents to put in their work hours, knowing that their children are well cared for, mind, body, and soul. At the Club, kids are assured of a warm and welcoming place to go in the hours after school when they might otherwise be alone with no one to care for them, or worse, out on the streets. But BGHC is not just a babysitting service—at the Club, kids get academic help and STEM enrichment; learn to become leaders and give back to their communities; and finally, get fit through sports and nutrition education with an experiential twist—Club members grow their own vegetables to cook and eat.

The real measure of success for any youth development program of course, is its measurable impact. This is where Boys & Girls Club of Henderson County really shines with a 100% high school graduation rate for its participants. Now that’s nothing to sneeze at!

We put some questions to Boys & Girls Club of Henderson County Communications Director Josh Titherington to learn more about the work of our latest small grant recipient:

Kars4Kids: On the Boys & Girls Club of Henderson County website, right there on the homepage, are the welcoming words “You belong here.” We understand that all youth are welcome. That said, do you serve a specific sector of young people? What’s your demographic?

Josh Titherington:  We serve youth from kindergarten through 12th grade. Additionally, our Project Hope program provides significant funding to support our members in pursuing post-secondary education.

Kars4Kids: What are the core values that guide your work with youth?

Josh Titherington: We embrace a whole-child approach to development, nurturing their mind, body, and spirit. We help our members achieve academic success, promote physical activity through organized sports and daily exercise, and encourage healthy eating habits. Spiritually, we focus on fostering strong, healthy relationships with peers and adults, teaching them empathy, and building a sense of community.

Kars4Kids: Can you tell us a bit about the history of the Boys & Girls Club of Henderson County?

Josh Titherington: Established in 1993, the Boys & Girls Club of Henderson County has been dedicated to inspiring and enabling young people, especially those in need, to reach their full potential as responsible, productive, and compassionate citizens. Each year, we provide year-round programs to hundreds of youth, emphasizing academic success, healthy lifestyles, and positive personal decision-making. Thanks to a recent grant, families can now enroll their children for free, continuing the tradition of inclusivity and accessibility that began with our $5 per-child membership fee for nearly three decades.

Kars4Kids: BGHC offers three tracks, Academic Success; Good Character & Citizenship; and Healthy Lifestyle. Do the kids have to take part in programs from all three tracks or is it totally up to them and their parents?

Josh Titherington: All members engage with all three tracks because they are interconnected. However, during “member’s choice” times, youth can pursue their unique interests. For example, some members join our Bike Club because they love cycling, while others explore their creativity in our Art Club. This flexibility allows them to grow while pursuing their passions.

Kars4Kids: Can you give us a rundown on your Academic Success programming?

Josh Titherington: Our Academic Success programming includes one-on-one tutoring and Power Hour, a dedicated time for members to complete homework and strengthen areas where they may need extra support.

Kars4Kids: What about your Good Character & Citizenship? How do you define character and citizenship in practical terms? What Club programs fall under that heading and what aspect of character or citizenship are they meant to impart?

Josh Titherington: We define good character and citizenship as acting with integrity and learning to identify and avoid risky situations. Programs like Smart Girls and Passport to Manhood empower members with skills in healthy decision-making, self-determination, and managing personal and interpersonal challenges. These programs aim to build resilience, confidence, and a sense of personal responsibility.

Kars4Kids: Under Healthy Lifestyle, you have a program for play and one for sports, but the third one is unexpected—cooking is not so unexpected, but learning how to grow nutritious food, is pretty novel. What do the kids grow? How does growing the food they eat have a positive impact on their health?

Josh Titherington: During the growing season, our members plant herbs, vegetables, and fruits. They then work with our nutritionist to learn how to clean, prepare, and serve these ingredients as part of healthy meals they can enjoy. This hands-on approach teaches valuable life skills and encourages healthier eating habits.

Kars4Kids: Are you staffed by volunteers? How many volunteers do you have right now? Do they undergo any sort of training?

Josh Titherington: We have about 12 volunteers helping daily, with a pool of approximately 30 individuals available as needed. All volunteers must pass a background check and complete training provided by the Boys & Girls Clubs of America to ensure they are prepared to support our members effectively and responsibly.

Kars4Kids: Tell us something about the impact of your club on the youth you serve. What is the high school graduation rate for Club members?

Josh Titherington: We are proud to have achieved a 100% graduation rate for the past 16 years. Over the past 30 years, many former members have returned to the Club as staff, volunteers, or even board members. For example, our Operations Director, Carlos Vega, was a member in the 1990s. His passion for the Club and its mission now inspires the next generation of youth in our community.

Kars4Kids: What’s next for the Boys & Girls Club of Henderson County?

Josh Titherington: Our focus is on maximizing the space we have to serve as many youth in our community as possible. While our current building serves us well, we’re exploring the possibility of opening another site in the future to better meet the needs of youth on the other side of the county.