Boys & Girls Club of Parkersburg announces expansion | News, Sports, Jobs

Club members Mia and Alannah C. have fun in the gym at the Boys & Girls Club of Parkersburg. Club leadership announced Thursday the opening of two locations at Mineral Wells Elementary and Glouster. (Photo provided)

PARKERSBURG – The Boys & Girls Club of Parkersburg has announced the expansion of its services in Wood County and the addition of services in Athens County, Ohio.

The organization, which has served the Parkersburg community for 60 years, will open two new locations this fall.

In Wood County, BGCP will begin providing afterschool programs at Mineral Wells Elementary School. Members of the Mineral Wells location will have full access to the Mary Street Clubhouse during school breaks, summer, and other non-school times when the school grounds are closed.

In Ohio, BGCP will begin providing afterschool programs in the Village of Glouster in Trimble Township. The club will be housed in the former Trimble Twp Community Center, a program of Hocking Athens Perry Community Action (HAPCAP), in Glouster and will serve students from Trimble Local Schools.

“I am very pleased that the Boys & Girls Club is coming to Glouster and Trimble Township,” said Chris Chmiel, Athens County Commissioner and HAPCAP board member. “The club will provide a safe place for children to learn, have fun and be in a supportive and healthy environment after school or during recess. I am confident that this club will have a long-term positive impact on many children, their families and our community.”

Members at both campuses are provided with opportunities for academic success, character and leadership, and healthy lifestyles. Programs are implemented by youth development professionals and supported by both campus-level and organizational leadership. Elementary school members pay a low annual membership fee of $20—and middle or high school members pay no dues.

“Watching this club grow over the last three and a half years has been one of my greatest achievements in life. The number of young people we serve on a daily basis has tripled since 2021 and now we will serve even more children.” said Lynn Reins, Chief Executive Officer. “I was a kid who needed a club growing up, and now I get to spend my life being the adult I needed. I love clubs and their mission to build great futures. Boys & Girls Clubs of Parkersburg has grown our team into a leading youth development agency throughout the Mid-Ohio Valley, and this is just the beginning – there are so many kids who need to be served.”

Justin Clark, COO, has spent the last decade of his career dedicating his skills to the Boys & Girls Club movement, and he believes this expansion will have a positive impact on both the Mineral Wells and Athens communities.

“I wholeheartedly believe that BGCP has the capacity, potential and responsibility to do whatever it takes to realize the generational impacts in the MOV and throughout our region,” he said. “Expanding the organization to the communities of Mineral Wells and Glouster is the next step toward our goal of ensuring equitable access for as many youth as possible.”

Boys & Girls Clubs of America has taken note of the local organization’s efforts. Katie Lee (Midwest Director of Organizational Development) stated: “We are incredibly excited to see the Parkersburg Club expand to Athens County and Mineral Wells. Lynn Reins and her team are already making a tremendous impact on the youth of Wood County. By expanding the Parkersburg Club, they have the opportunity to provide safety and support to even more young people to learn and lead throughout their childhood and beyond. Every child deserves a Boys & Girls Club, so kudos to the Parkersburg Club for expanding their reach and impacting more lives.”

Individuals interested in learning more about the expansion sites, including enrollment and employment opportunities, should contact Clark via email at [email protected] or visit www.bgcparkersburg.org.