Dr. Mardel Kolls is an educator through and through and her love for children’s ability to learn has been sown into the fabric of Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club over the years. Recently at the grand opening of the Club’s new facility, Dr. Kolls learned that a special room was named after her, “Dr. Mardel Kolls Learning Center.” Through the door of this room are books upon books, table and chairs for exploring the knowledge that rests in every page.
“At first, I was very surprised and overwhelmed to have this honor and thought about the many volunteers that also gave their time, talents and resources to our Club,” she shared. “And then I thought, what a wonderful legacy to leave in this very special place for generations of youth.”
Dr. Kolls journey to PNBGC is through the halls of the local schools and her own understanding of how important those afterschool hours are for youth development.
“In October of 2009, my husband and I moved from California to Georgia to be closer to our sons. We had recently retired from careers in education and were eager to explore our new surroundings in Greensboro. We found no public parks, basketball courts, tennis courts, skate board parks or aquatics centers. What do kids do here after school,” she asked. “As a former school administrator, I went home and looked up state test scores and demographic data, crime and school attendance reports. Dropout rates and teen pregnancies were well above the state averages while academic performance indicators were extremely low. Class sizes were 17-21 students. Why aren’t kids learning here? I volunteered in elementary classrooms for two years in search of answers to that question. The children stole my heart and my journey began to look for ways to start afterschool programs.”
Dr. Kolls had heard that “Boys & Girls Clubs of America changed lives” and met with school officials and community members to gain support. On June 12, 2011, PNBGC opened its doors to children ages 6-13 in a wing of the Greensboro Elementary school.
“Our membership was based on maximum club space capacity and we quickly formed a waiting list of over 100 students. I was familiar with the 21st Century 5-year funded afterschool grant programs in California and decided to apply for funding to serve Grades 5-9. In 2012, the Club opened a Teen Center and the grant program provided enrichment activities and academic support to 180 additional students.”
Dr. Kolls continued as a grant program director for the Club and later became board chair and shares her fondest memories were seeing the changes taking place under the great leadership of Bob Mackey.
“A local restaurant owner thought the kids should have a hot meal once a week and community volunteers came to serve spaghetti dinner to 180 kids on Thursday nights, she shared. “I saw Club members graduating “on-Time” with a post-secondary plan. We had expanded our community support and had brought two very different communities together with a common goal of providing a safe and caring environment after school and during out-of-school times throughout the year.”
For Dr. Kolls the Club saves lives – period.
“I believe everyone has a purpose in life and I think the Club experience helps define that purpose as they learn to share their ideas and talents with others. Many former Boys & Girls Club members often state “The Club saved my life.” Although I was never a member of a Club as a youth, in a way it saved my life as well,” she shared. “You see eight weeks before the Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club opened in 2011, my husband of 48 years died suddenly. We shared the dream of providing afterschool programs of sports, enrichment and activities for local youth, and the difference one person can make in a child’s life.”
Seeing the new facility open is a full circle moment for Dr. Kolls.
“I worked for Parks and Recreation after school programs while attending College. I knew the bonds that form with children and their leaders and the influence one could have on helping children develop confidence through learning new skills,” she shared. “I carried that with me into classrooms at all levels throughout my career. Great Futures Do Start Here.”