With the support of Besser Foundation, Cinnaire, Weinkauf Plumbing and Heating and community leaders, the Boys & Girls Club of Alpena will launch a significant effort to serve more youth in Alpena and the surrounding communities. A major gift of $1 million from The Besser Foundation will help jump start the relocation and renovation project for the 21,000-square-foot 801 Miller St. facility. The Besser Foundation bestowed a match grant of $1 million to kick off the project and invites and challenges others to support and match their generous gift.

The Boys & Girls Club of Alpena is announcing its public phase of the Open New Doors Campaign to serve more youth, more often, with greater impact. The campaign centers around relocating from its current building and renovating the 801 Miller St. location.

Priorities of the project include adding a Teen Center space for middle and high school students, installing a teachable kitchen to enhance food education and serving, updating the gymnasium, adding a multimedia center/computer lab to meet the technological needs of our youth, and increasing security protocols.

The Boys &Girls Club of Alpena will be hosting a Virtual Tour and Q&A via Zoom at noon and 5:30 p.m. today. The link to access both presentations is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81343465563?pwd=M1NCU0xjVXVHWmI0MHU1R1NFcVU4dz09. The meeting ID is 813 4346 5563, and the passcode is 614303. You may also visit www.bgcalpena.org to access the link or call 989-356-0214 to have the information and link emailed to you. The Boys & Girls Club of Alpena is excited to share the future of the new building and listen to community input on the project.

Above is a rendering of the new Boys & Girls Club of Alpena’s lobby.

In announcing the public phase of the campaign, the club and its board of directors wants to encourage broad ranging community support. The Boys & Girls Club of Alpena has been able to serve the community for 94 years because of the generous people that live here and support its initiatives. The club is a community-based organization and all operating expenses are derived from local and state grants, local foundations and the great people and businesses in and around Alpena. The BGCA National organization does not provide operating expenses to the local club. It is a testament to the community to recognize the needs of its young people and support the club’s mission. This project will increase the club’s capacity, impact and footprint.

“The building for the Boys & Girls Club of Alpena has been on the agenda of the Board of Directors for a long time now,” said Board President Kevin Skiba. “Finally, all the pieces have come together and now is the right time.”

The mission of the Boys & Girls Club of Alpena is to inspire and enable all youth, especially those who need it most, to reach their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. The organization has a current membership of 1,275 youth, ranging from 6 to 18 years old, and serves up to 135 youth each day after school and during summer and school breaks. Professional staff and volunteers work toward three primary outcomes for the youth served: that they graduate from high school with a plan for the future, live healthy lifestyles (nutrition, exercise and healthy relationships) and become contributing members of the community.

The Boys & Girls Club of Alpena opened its doors in March 1926 and has been serving the community for over 94 years. The club is quickly outgrowing their current space and has an opportunity to move from their 8,000-square-foot facility to a 21,000-square-foot facility. Attendance has increased by 45% over the past four years and the teen population has increased by 65%.

“Being able to serve more youth more often and being able to meet the needs of the youth and community is at the heart of our mission,” said Executive Director Bradley Somers. “The more youth that walk through our doors and receive vital life skills, educational and recreational opportunities, mentoring and volunteer leadership strengthens our community and allows young people to see a bright future and make informed and educated decisions that positively impact our community as a whole.”

Above is a rendering of the new Boys & Girls Club of Alpena’s gymnasium.

The club currently serves over 14,000 hot free meals year-round to youth through its daily food program and this number is set to increase to over 18,000 in 2020. With consistent role models and wide-reaching programs in character and leadership development, arts, health, technology and sports, Boys & Girls Club of Alpena helps close the opportunity gap for underserved youth.

Community support is integral in the success of this project. To support the Boys & Girls Club of Alpena’s Open New Doors Capital Campaign, visit www.bgcalpena.org and click on the link under “Donations.” You will be directed to the Community Foundation of NEMI website, which the club has set up for online donations. Individuals can also call the Boys & Girls Club at 989-356-0214 or stop by the current location at 601 River St. to give their support, chat about the project and learn how your donation will make a huge impact on the kids and community.

Above is a rendering of the new Boys & Girls Club of Alpena’s kitchen.