By Attiyya Atkins, Villij News Staff
Pompano Beach, FL — A new community center in Pompano Beach aims to help teens reach their potential.
On August 14, city officials, sponsors, and community leaders gathered at the Thomas D. Stephanis Club, 212 NW 16th Street, to cut the ribbon on the Hierholzer Teen Center. The new facility became The Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County (BGCBC) 17th Club and sixth Teen Center within the County.
The state-of-the-art center will focus on educating local teens with leadership skills, workforce development, mentoring and academic support for teens ages 13 to 18. There are also spaces for podcasting, gaming, pool tables, and a gym.
It’s been dubbed “a safe space, a creative space, a space for growth, learning, leadership, friendship and opportunity for our teens… it took a village,” said Jazmine Williams, Teen Club Director. “It’s the place where your future begins to take place.”
Nicknamed “The Club”, the center was designed to provide older BGCBC members with their own space and tailored programs. The Thomas D. Stephanis Club serves more than 180 kids daily, city documents show. Roughly 58% of members live in households earning less than $30,000 annually, 71% are from single-parent families, and 87% are Black youth.
The long-term effects of providing a safe space for teens has positive effects on community development, said Peter Oldbury, BGCBC Board Chair. “There’s a multiplier effect to these teen communities…The teens come back and provide the services they got and pay it forward.”
Take Otto McCullough, former BGCBC member and current Broward Sherriff Deputy, as an example. He spoke at the event and reminisced about his time at BGCBC and the opportunity he received to attend a Dale Carnegie public speaking course.
According to Club Sponsors Larry and Christy Hierholzer, teen clubs increased club attendance by approximately 67%. To the Hierholzer’s, investing in this club is an investment in the future of Pompano. The City of Pompano matched the Hierholzer’s donation to create the club.
The club is teen approved.
“It’s a place where you can come be yourself,” said BGCBC Youth of the Year, Kaleb E. at the ribbon cutting ceremony.
“It’s nice we don’t have to be in the same rooms as the little kids,” said Carmelo L., a teen at the event.
“It could really get kids off the streets,” said Klayton D., a teen at the event. He added that teens can use the resources at the center to apply for colleges and find jobs.
Local leaders including Florida Senator Tina Polsky, State Representative Mitch Rosenwald, Pompano Beach Mayor Rex Hardin, Pompano Beach Commissioner Beverly Perkins, and BSO joined BGCBC board members and staff for the celebration.
The impact of BGCBC’s programs was highlighted throughout the event: 97% of senior members graduate high school, 88% pursue higher education or trade schools, and 69% receive scholarships. The new center is expected to serve nearly 3,000 teens annually from across Broward County.
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