Boys & Girls Clubs of Parkersburg announce new board members
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PARKERSBURG - Three new board members have been announced at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Parkersburg.
They are attorney Richard Smith, who was inspired by a Facebook post, and Laurea Ellis and Cynthia Barton, who were both judges for the organization's Youth of the Year program.
Smith said he joined the board to give back to the community and help youth to become productive, caring and responsible adults. A club Facebook post spotlighting a current board member inspired Smith to apply, and he was accepted at January's meeting.
"What was intriguing was the unknown. I was trying to find an opportunity, and it called me to give time to the community to an organization that I thought would fit with the goals and interests that I have," Smith said. "After I met with Darlene (Murphy, CEO) and I got a tour, I now can see the importance of the club to these kids and their families."
The first connection to Smith began through his daughter's involvement on Parkersburg South High School's swim team practicing at the club.
"The club is a way to provide some kids that are underprivileged to get skills to where they can better themselves," Smith said. "I was hoping my background where I've had a little taste of everything, dealing with different clients, that I could have different skills to help the club and foster new ideas."
Smith specializes in estates, wills and trusts, assisting clients with estate planning and administration. Running the practice has provided him with hands-on experience in budgeting, contracts and leadership skills that he believes can help the organization.
"My ability to listen to another person's needs, wants and desires is pretty crucial to the success of (my) business," he said.
An attorney friend who grew up with the club gave him perspective about the organization. His friend's story made Smith realize all kids didn't have what he had growing up. He said he hopes to bring that same positive experience to local kids, helping them develop skills and opportunities.
"The fact that we can make an impression on kids just seemed like a really awesome fit," Smith said.
Barton is an accountant at the Bureau of the Fiscal Service. Being a Youth of the Year judge showed her how the club encourages youth to grow as leaders.
"It was nice hearing what they are receiving at the Boys & Girls Club and turning it into their own projects and community involvement," she said.
Programs that engage youth early can help guide them toward positive goals and build skills that last into adulthood, Barton said.
"I believe we need to start young in the community to hopefully get them on the right path," she said.
The club is accessible to families of all backgrounds, Barton said.
"It's there for everyone, no matter what your pay scale is," Barton said. "Come as you are, and everyone belongs."
Ellis, a deputy commissioner for field operations in the northern part of the state for the West Virginia Department of Human Services, said decades of experience working with children and families have shown her how essential safe and supportive spaces are for youth. That's a reason she joined the board.
Ellis began working with the department in 1995 and spent years serving children and families. The experiences made the mission of the Boys & Girls Club especially meaningful, she said.
"I've spent a lot of years on the front line working with children and families," Ellis said. "The best thing we can do with these kids is work with them and keep them with their families and keep them safe."
With her professional background, Ellis said her expertise and place on the board will help families connect to the help available to them, if needed.
"I saw it as an opportunity to be a catalyst to give these youth everything we can give them to help them be successful," she said. "I may not be that direct person, but I can make sure the right people will be in place to make it happen."
Ellis said throughout her career she frequently heard children talk about trusted adults from the Boys & Girls Club when asked with whom they felt safe talking.
"The consistency and that safe haven is incredibly important," Ellis said. "Staff are there day in and day out in these children's lives. We want to not just keep the doors open; you want them to thrive."
She believes that the club provides more than after-school supervision with guidance, structure and support for each child's needs.
"There's no doubt they will be successful in whatever they choose to do," Ellis said. "I have a firm belief that behind every successful adult there's one connection in their life, and the club helps create those connections.
"These kids really depend on going there where they're fed, safe and forming relationships," she said.