MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
The Boys and Girls Club of Hutchinson is celebrating National Boys and Girls Club Week, June 23–27, by inviting the community to step inside its mission through events, alumni engagement, and youth showcases.
The national observance, recognized by more than 5,000 clubs across the globe, celebrates the life-changing impact of Boys and Girls Clubs in their communities. Locally, the Hutchinson club is marking its 35th year with a theme of “Open the Blue Door”, encouraging former members and community supporters to reconnect and see the club’s progress firsthand.
“This is a rally week,” said Lance Patterson, CEO of Boys and Girls Club of Hutchinson. “It’s a chance to show off the great work our youth are doing and let alumni and supporters walk back through our doors to see how we’ve grown.”
The club is serving more than 500 children and teens in its summer programs, averaging 300 participants daily. Activities this week include a focus on health and wellness, workforce readiness, creative arts, and career planning. On Tuesday, the club highlighted its Work-Based Learning initiative, which places more than 30 teens in their first job experiences throughout the community.
“Fit for the Future” is the week’s guiding theme, a nod to both physical health and career preparation. Staff and members donned workout gear on Monday as part of a wellness kickoff. Later in the week, art will take center stage as an Atlanta-based artist is leading teens in self-portrait projects using a variety of media.
The community is invited to a family night and open house Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at the Shadduck Park Community Center, 600 W. 2nd Ave. Current members, families, alumni, and newcomers are encouraged to attend. The club’s Avenue A site is full for summer, but openings remain for incoming sixth graders and older youth at Shadduck.
Patterson also announced that the Hutchinson club is helping to launch a similar program in Salina. Interviews are underway for a new director, and the goal is to open the new site by November.
“We’re excited to help build something from the ground up in Salina,” Patterson said. “It speaks volumes about the strength and reputation of what we’ve built here in Hutchinson.”
According to the club’s 2024 Impact Report, 99% of teen members believe they are prepared to succeed in the workplace, and 89% report an understanding of how their emotions impact their actions—skills the organization emphasizes through daily interaction and mentorship.
“Those results don’t happen by accident,” said Lindsey Fields, Director of Impact. “They’re the product of consistent support, strong relationships, and helping kids try things they wouldn’t have tried otherwise.”
Funding remains a challenge, however. The club relies heavily on grants, with 61% of its budget coming from such sources, including a federal 21st Century Community Learning Center grant that remains uncertain for future cycles.
“Grants give us heartburn because of their unpredictability,” Patterson said. “We’re constantly working to increase individual and local support so we can continue to meet the needs of our community no matter what.”
Despite funding hurdles, the club remains a critical community resource.
“Our youth are the future of this community,” Patterson said. “And our job is to make sure they’re ready for it.”
For more information on Boys and Girls Club of Hutchinson or to get involved, visit www.bgchutch.com.