Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast (BGCEC) announced yesterday that a new organization, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Pensacola (BGCGP), would be created to operation its clubs in Escambia County, including two facilities, one in the Englewood Community Center at 2751 North “H†Street and the other operating out of Montclair Elementary School.
The Emerald Coast organization will focus programs and services for youth living in the communities it serves in Okaloosa and Walton Counties, including Fort Walton Beach, Destin, DeFuniak Springs, and Santa Rosa Beach.
“BGCEC has effectively served the youth of the Emerald Coast region for many years, and we want to make sure the organization is strong and impactful going forward,†said Todd Wilkinson, Chairman of the Board for BGCEC.
“The consolidation of the Boys & Girls Clubs a few years ago, which created the current organization, did not prove to be an effective model, primarily because of the distance and differences between the communities served in Escambia-Santa Rosa, and those in Okaloosa-Walton. The reestablishment of a separate organization in Escambia County will allow us to expand our footprint to impact more kids in the Escambia-Santa Rosa area and create a more efficient and effective outcomes for kids, by strengthening fundraising efforts in both areas to ensure a solid and sustainable financial support base. Our young people need and deserve nothing less,†said Amy Crain, newly named Chairman of the Board for BGCGP.
“We are committed to providing our life-changing and life-saving programs for young people who need them, and giving them a chance to fulfill their potential for a Great Future,†said Shervin Rassa, CEO of BGCEC. “We need the communities in both geographic areas to join us, by committing their time, talents and treasure in support of our Boys & Girls Clubs. It’s an investment in our youth, and our community, that will pay dividends now and for generations to come.â€