The mission of the Oscar Cross Boys & Girls Club of Paducah is to enable young people to be productive, responsible and caring citizens. The organization recently announced the June 1 closure of their midtown facility, which means a consolidation of young people into the newer Park Avenue location. WPSD Local 6 Anchor Todd Faulkner is President of the Board of Directors and joins Kate Lochte on Sounds Good to talk about the closure, the challenge in overcoming financial struggles and how the organization helps give life skills to kids who need it most.
Todd Faulkner says while we may be aware of local non-profits in our community, we don't often know the struggle they go through. The board made a tough decision to close the Midtown facility (the one located closest to the courthouse). Faulkner says this was made in the interest of the kids and teens. The facility is beyond repair and not safe for the 40-60 middle school and teenage kids who go there after school. Logistics are being coordinated now to send them to the newer Park Avenue location, which currently holds between 110-130 kindergarten through fifth graders. The space will be tight, he says, and all options are on the table - whether adding modular trailers or holding a capital campaign to build a new facility.
The organization needs about $50-60 thousand dollars to get out of the red. They are slowly digging themselves out of the financial quandary thanks to donations, area trusts and a recent successful crawfish boil fundraiser.
The club has a focus on "Power Hour," when the kids arrive, which is essentially homework time. The students sit with qualified individuals (usually teachers working part time) who walk them through their homework. All aspects of education are covered: English, Arts, 'Money Matters,' 'Passport to Manhood,' 'Smart Girls,' and more. The goal is to place kids who might otherwise fall through the cracks and do down the wrong path in a safe, supportive environment. Past students have shown improvement over their time in the club, from gaining character and leadership skills to education and career development.
Faulkner says Oscar Cross saw a need for young men to improve themselves. He and his wife wanted to positively influence the community by taking boys in the juvenile justice system and providing them the educational programs and experiences that were available to turn their lives around. It grew and eventually became the Boys & Girls Club. This club has a rich history in Paducah, he says, particularly in the African American community. He adds that this club is for everyone and anyone in the Paducah and McCracken County area.
The next community fundraising event is a golf scramble in July, which gets a lot of community support. Also, about 40 students from the club will come out and have a two-hour workshop on how to golf, how to carry yourself on a golf course, and how to have a conversation.
