(A News and Sentinel Op-Ed - Photo Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

I walked into my first club at 23 years old, a senior in college, a married mom of two, and ready to embark on a short journey as a youth development coordinator (part-time staffer at Boys & Girls Club of Franklin-Simpson) as I finished my degree and fulfilled my internship requirement for my minor in Nonprofit Administration. Little did I know that fateful day in November 2010 would not only be the start of my entire future but fill my life with more happiness than I could ever imagine.

I grew up in an impoverished household where the thought of college was not even considered when we sometimes wondered where our next meal was coming from. I lived a childhood filled with neglect, abuse, disappointment, hunger, and fear. Through the support and encouragement of a few teachers (shoutout to Mrs. Tabor, Miss Angie, and Mrs. Carmen), I knew I was destined for more than the hand I was dealt. It took me a while, but at 21 years old, I started school and set my sights on fulfilling my dreams. I knew from a young age I wanted to be the adult I so desperately needed throughout my childhood but wasn’t sure what that looked like.

Boys & Girls Clubs entered my life through a guest lecture during a Tuesday evening, three-hour-long, introduction to nonprofit class. Jef Goodnight, the then CEO of Boys & Girls Club of Franklin-Simpson, spent the evening sharing his story and how the day-to-day of Club worked at his local organization. He informed the professor he was looking for staff members and that is where my story truly begins.

I worked my way through the Boys & Girls Club of Franklin-Simpson org chart — I served as a front-line staffer; I worked as an education coordinator; in fundraising; in homework help; in emotional safety; became a certified BGCA (Boys & Girls Clubs of America) trainer; and finally served as the Director of Operations before moving my family to the Mid-Ohio Valley in 2021 to serve as the CEO at your local club, Boys & Girls Club of Parkersburg.

We have seen a lot of changes over the last 3 1/2 years — transportation has grown from two schools to 14; average daily participation has increased from 42 to 126; personnel has grown to include a Chief Operations Officer, Resource Development Director on the Organizational level and both a Unit Director and Program Director on the site level; our budget has grown from $650,000 to $1.1M; all staff receive regular professional development; our organization has been recognized on the state and regional level; and the list goes on.

Our biggest news yet is we are growing yet again! To be at the helm as this incredible organization, which has been serving youth for 60 YEARS, expands services to those that need us most is a privilege I cannot quite put into words. Proud — doesn’t touch it. Excited — is an understatement. Joyous — getting closer. Serving the youth of the Mid-Ohio Valley and providing them with the opportunity to be Club Kids is exactly what I am meant to be doing.

I am living proof that Clubs change lives (and I was an adult that found Clubs — imagine what it can do for kids). So many of us have overcome hardships and know personally the struggles the youth of our community endure every day and that is why Clubs are so important. Boys & Girls Clubs are for every kid, every teen — and we are one step closer to serving even more, providing them with supportive relationships, academic support, career exploration, meals, fun, and just a place to be a kid. I look forward to serving more youth than ever before and hope the community rallies behind us as they have done for the last six decades as we continue to build GREAT FUTURES across the Mid-Ohio Valley.

More kids, more often.

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Lynn Reins, MSW, is the chief executive officer of the Boys & Girls Club of Parkersburg.