Evander Holyfield Partners with B&G Club

Four-time time heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield is partnering with Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia to continue making a difference in children’s lives. 

Holyfield grew up worried about whether or not youth in his school would notice the holes in his clothes and was determined to make a difference in his life’s trajectory. In the wake of his determination is a long list of boxing victories, books about his life, his philanthropic organization the Holyfield Foundation and one icon title of the only man to win four consecutive heavyweight championships. 

Through the Holyfield Foundation, he is deeply committed to giving back to various causes that pull on his heartstrings. A cause that resonates with him is working in youth development, especially partnering alongside Boys & Girls Clubs who are making the lasting impact to change lives. 

Evander Holyfield will be hands on with his partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia, as he will referee Walton County Boys & Girls Club Fight for Our Future boxing event. Holyfield will referee seven matches comprised of local Walton County celebrities. The main event for the evening will be a match between Bob Mackey, BGCNCG President & CEO, and Ross Bradly, owner of Your Pie and WCBGC Board Chair. 

“BGCNCG is committed to the youth of North Central Georgia and with that commitment we are continually striving to bridge new relationships for our youth,” Bob Mackey, shared. “This partnership with Evander Holyfield will give our youth an experience of a lifetime and an event you do not want to miss.”

The partnership was bridged by Ross Mason and the HINRI Foundation. To learn more about HINRI please visit http://www.hinri.org/.

To learn more about Fight for Our Future, visit www.bgcncg.com/boxing. To learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georiga, visit www.bgcncg.comor call 770-267-8034.

Dungeon Boxing Gym a ‘knock out’ supporter for BGCNCG

For Carey Foster of Dungeon Boxing Gym, Boys & Girls Club means “safe haven” to him as a Club alumnus of W.W. Houston Boys & Girls Club. Now as a business owner in Covington, Foster was searching for ways to give back in a big way to his local Boys & Girls Club.

Foster has partnered with Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia to offer funding for a Passport2Manhood program at Newton County Boys & Girls Club and joining as a supporting sponsor for Walton County Boys & Girls Club’s Fight for our Future boxing event.

Foster’s gym will be mentoring WCBGC event participants, as well as Walton Club members on how the discipline of boxing can empower youth to express their emotions in safe spaces. For Newton’s Club, Dungeon Gym will be sponsoring an entire program unit devoted toward empowering young men to become successful and productive adults. 

His reason for giving back in such a large way is simple, “the Boys & Girls Club was influential in my life and others.”

“Relocating from housing projects to low income neighborhoods, as a protective measure to keep me off of the streets and out of trouble my mother deemed it necessary to enroll me in the Boys and Girls Club,” he shared. “It’s important to have community assistance with raising a child in a single parent home. With the parent having to work long hours to provide the things the child needs and half the things the child wants, we may fall short in other aspects of parenting.”

From the ages of 12 to 16, Foster was at the Club and he credits it as a place where he knew he was safe and able to grow up among positive role models. 

“At times when my peers and I were being mischievous and that little voice in my head said “not a good idea” or “it’s time to get off the block,” I would go to the Boys & Girls Club and play football, basketball, go swimming or spend time at the teen center,” he added.

In Dungeon Boxing Gym’s partnership with BGCNCG, Foster hopes to instill these characteristics he gained from his BGC experience to the youth of this generation. 

With the Passport2Manhood’s program, Foster is looking forward to young men receiving mentorship and life skill elements that help them become productive as teens. 

“As a young man I needed guidance and support to deal with life's struggles and at times made bad choices because I didn’t have it,” he shared. “I would like to offer guidance and support our young adults to prevent them from having to go through some of the hardships I had to learn.”

He’s looking forward to watching teens confidence grown and learning skills for critical thinking. 

For WCBGC Fight for Our Future Event, Dungeon Boxing Gym will be introducing a new boxing program to the youth of the Club to assist in controlling anger issues. 

“I’m most looking forward to spreading the positive energy. We would like to introduce our boxing program to Walton as well as to help keep the youth off the streets,” he shared. “The coaches will be teaching the youth on the sweet science of boxing. This will also help build their confidence. Boxing in a number of ways can relate to life and our coaches will show how the two correlates.”

At the end of the day life-changing work takes partnerships and Foster hopes that his support will showcase the importance of “businesses needing to work together to help make a difference in community.”

Overall, Foster is excited to be the role model so many people offered him during his BGC experience as a teen. 

“It means a great deal to me to be able to give back to the community because I know firsthand how the support of the Boys & Girls Club helped change my life,” he shared.

Dungeon Boxing Gym is located at 11505 Brown Bridge Road in Covington, GA. The gym was established in 2015 by Carey Foster and his wife, Ebonita. The Dungeon offers boxing training, strength and conditioning, dance classes, tutoring and mentoring. To learn more about The Dungeon Boxing Gym visit dungeonsquads.com or call 770-788-0680.

To learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia or the Clubs mentioned above, visit www.bgcncg.comor call 770-267-8034. 

BGCNCG Awarded Grant through B&G of Georgia

New Tweens & Teens Initiative 

Boys & Girls Club of North Central Georgia will continue making smart moves count within teen pregnancy prevention through an awarded grant program from Boys & Girls Clubs of Georgia, Inc. 

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provided a $730,000 to BGC, which a portion will be distributed to BGCNCG to help implement a new Reducing the Risk Program. 

BGCNCG continues to maintain zero teen pregnancies in each of its Clubs in Greene, Morgan, Walton and Newton Counties for teens who attend the Club at least three times or more a week. 

“Reducing the Risk Program is designed to help youth ages 14-19 to reduce the risk of unhealthy choices and relationships."

Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia will provide this program to youth currently enrolled in its Clubs. This program will train staff in the Reducing the Risk program, open opportunities to parent sessions and positively impact the youth of BGCNCG.

“Health education is at the core of our programs that helps equip our youth to become successful adults in making positive choices that impact their bodies and futures,” Bob Mackey, Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia. “We are looking forward to continuing to make such impacts through this awarded grant and program initiative.”

To learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia, visit www.bgcncg.comor call 770-267-8034.

Duck Derby Huge Success for BGCNCG

“Do you think your rubber duck will be the winner” was a common question heard at Porterdale’s Yellow River Park Saturday, as folks enjoyed the second annual Duck Derby hosted by Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia.

Several attended the event to watch over 2,300-rubber ducks float along the Yellow River in a race for $10,000 at the finish line. 

BGCNCG’s summer fundraiser was in partnership with the City of Porterdale and raises funds for youth served in Newton, Greene, Morgan and Walton counties. 

Spectators gathered early to get a place in line to watch the ducks drop, as well as grab last minute lucky ducks for the big race. Youth from the newly opened Newton County Boys & Girls Club helped pep up the crowd as they greeted spectators with Howard the Duck. 

 As the duck launch approached, spectators made their way to the riverbank to watch the race. A large gasp and cheers could be heard as the ducks dropped into the Yellow River for the race of a lifetime. 

Once the finish line was crossed and the winning ducks were pulled, it was time for a grand prize winner announcement.

This year’s $10,000 grand prize winner is Jerry Schonhoft. On Sunday Jerry received his winning phone call and was in shock.

“I was shocked. I’ve never won anything in my life. I was with my grandson, as he was getting a tennis lesson when Bob Mackey gave me a call,” Schonhoft shared. “I remember buying the ticket from Jim Liebeck (Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club board member) and thinking the odds weren’t going to be in my favor, but here I am.”

Schonhoft shared his family is going to be in shock when he gets home with his grand prize check.

“I’m just thrilled,” he added. “I always thought that the Boys & Girls Club was a great place and I really think it’s a great place now.

For Bob Mackey, President and CEO of BGCNCG, watching the North Central Georgia join together to support its youth is inspiring for the future.

“During the event I watched as people met one another and shared their reason for being present. Overwhelmingly the response was ‘or the youth.’ Mackey shared. “It takes a village to ensure our youth become productive citizens while learning life skills they’ll need to be successful. We are so grateful to the community’s relentless support of our mission. The gift you provided our youth with your support will continue to ripple effect in these youth’s lives for years to come.”

Jerry Schonhoft wasn’t the only winner from Duck Derby!

Four other community members took home prizes from the event. Jim Borland won a golf adventure to The Oaks Golf Course, Robert Witchor won Your Pie for a year and Jerry Evans won an iPad mini.

Overall, the event was a success for BGCNCG.

“June (Tompkins’ wife) and I had a big time making new friends and laughing with old friends,” Michael Tompkins, BGCNCG Corporate Board Chair, shared. “The magical benefit was watching our kids, parents and supporters come together dancing and sharing in a fun event.”

Porterdale was happy to host the second annual Duck Derby event.

“The Duck Derby is such a creative way of raising funds for an important cause, allowing the young people of the community to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. The City of Porterdale, couldn’t have been more pleased to support the 2ndDuck Derby,” Josephine Kelly, Downtown Development Director, said.“There was a happy enthusiastic crowd in attendance and with the dedicated effort of the Boys and Girls Club and the Porterdale Public Works Department, the event was a great success.”

Mackey added that without great sponsors, such as presenting sponsor Canon and the City of Porterdale for allowing the organization to partner with them – this event wouldn’t have been as successful. 

“The real winners of this event are our youth!”

Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia serves over 1,500 youth in North Central Georgia. 

If you’d like to learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia or are interested in getting involved on a local level, visit www.bgcncg.comor call 770-267-8034.

BGCNCG Welcomes Barnesville-Lamar to the Movement

Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia celebrated the ground breaking of its newest Club site located in Barnesville, Georgia. Barnesville-Lamar Boys & Girls Club is set to open January 13, 2020 and will serve ages 6 - 18 of Lamar county. 

The Club’s steering committee, along with Lamar county residents and officials, planted their golden shovels into the soil marking the beginning of BLBGC’s journey to become a fully operational Club in 2020. 

“Ten years from now this Club will be a gift that will truly keep on giving. The dedication behind this effort that’s made this ground breaking possible today – and moving forward - will change the environment, trajectory and outlook of youth in Lamar County,” Bob Mackey, President & CEO of BGCNCG shared. “On behalf of the Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia, we’d like to congratulate your steering committee on the steps taken to change lives forever.”

Joe Edwards, president of United Bank, longtime supporter of Lamar County youth and steering committee chairman of Barnesville-Lamar Boys & Girls Club, shared his excitement to be opening a Club with Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia. 

“Soon it will be five decades that my family and I have been in Lamar county. I’ve worked on a lot of civic projects in those years, but never have I witnessed such a unified support,” Edwards shared. “The county commission is with us, the school board is with us, the Rotatory Club is with us – I’ve never seen so much support and encouragement and we’re here today committing to the youth because of that support.” 

Ron Smith, Lamar County School Board member, added to Edwards’ sentiments.

“We feel very blessed to live in a community like ours with such support for our kids,” Smith said. “We are making a great opportunity available today. A place for kids to be kids, but also a place where they can be guided into adulthood.”

Michael Tompkins, BGCNCG Corporate Board Chairman, concluded that this new addition will continue to give youth “a hand up.”

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart. It’s amazing what we’re doing with these youth,” he said. “We’re giving these kids the tools to access the greatness in this country.”

Boys & Girls Clubs are essential places where youth can develop skills, make lasting connections with mentors, and achieve great futures. Since youth have different experiences and learning styles, Boys & Girls Clubs never take a single approach to helping youth succeed. It takes caring individuals to provide a safe place, and quality programs. This ensures that all youth have a brighter future. 

BLBGC will provide young people a fun, safe and educational space with a fostering environment where they can be who they are—and become who they are meant to be.

To learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia, visit www.bgcncg.com. To learn more about how you can become involved in the Barnesville-Lamar Boys & Girls Club, call 770-267-8034 or visit their Facebook @BLBGC. 

NCBGC members learn about positive relationships

Teen members of Newton County Boys & Girls Club are learning about their authentic selves and how to maintain healthy relationships through Smart Girls.

Since the Club’s opening on June 3, the teens of NCBGC have begun working through the Boys & Girls Clubs of America program called Smart Girls, which utilizes dynamic sessions with highly participatory activities to help young girls build positive relationships with peers and adults, as well as healthy eating habits. 

“Through activities, field trips and mentoring opportunities with adult women in our community, our teen girls are becoming confident in their own bodies, learning how to respect themselves and others,” Nakita Williams, NCBGC Director, shared. “The ladies have been learning about self-esteem and building sisterhood together.”

 Williams added, “This program is educational and fun because our teens have an opportunity to bond with other peers, as well as discuss issues and topics that are important to them. While participating in activities such as a hair braiding camp, making tutus and keychains.”

Saree Durham, NCBGC teen member, shared she loves coming to the Club to spend time with her girlfriends learning about communication and relationships that benefit instead of harm. 

“The ladies have created an atmosphere where they are able to help each other, they have created and built friendships with each other,” Williams said.

To learn more about Newton County Boys & Girls Club visit, www.bgcncg.com/newtoncounty or call 470-444-1914.

NCBGC Names Youth of the Month for July

For Club members at Newton County Boys & Girls Club being named Youth of the Month is a high honor. Every month a youth is recognized for modeling their leadership abilities. 

For the month of July, NCBGC named Hayden Comeau as Youth of the Month.

Mr. Jalen, NCBGC staff member with Hayden.

“Hayden has grown since our Club opening, as he has become a great leader inside our Club,” Nakita Williams, NCBGC Director shared. “He’s always willing to lend a helping hand and has really taken to our lessons within his Passport2Manhood program. He’s learned to step outside of his comfort zone and interact with different people.”

Hayden shared that his favorite program is Passport2Manhood.

“I appreciate the activities and the hands-on opportunities to learn,” he shared. “I’ve really liked being viewed as a leader within the Club and a team player. We’ve been learning a lot about how to build trust and responsibility.”

He added, “I feel like I have people here I can look up to and care about me.”

To learn more about Newton County Boys & Girls Club visit, www.bgcncg.com/newtoncountyor call 
470-444-1914.

Newton County Boys & Girls Club celebrates grand opening

This news story was originally published by The Covington Newspaper. Thank you The Covington News for celebrating with us and for being an ongoing supporter of our Newton County Boys & Girls Club!

COVINGTON, Ga. - Newton County is now part of the Club. The Boys & Girls Club, that is. 

June third marked the first day of summer camp in the new Newton County Boys & Girls Club facility on Brown Bridge Road. This day came after years of fundraising and community support to create a teen-focused center on the west side of the county. 

"This is history in the making because our teens deserve a positive place to come and that place starts right here," Bob Mackey, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Club of North Central Georgia, said. 

Full of educational and entertainment resources for teens, the new club launched its first day of summer camp Monday. Mackey said the idea of a local B&G Club started more than 10 years ago. 

"I remember when it looked nothing like this," District 2 Commissioner Demond Mason said. "There was no deck, the floors were torn up, the walls were not painted. I am excited to see this place and I believe that it is going to be a very very positive thing when it comes to our youth and our teens. I am excited about what they've done here at the Boys & Girls Club and I'm just glad to be a part of it."

In a special grand opening ceremony June 3, Mackey and the B&G Club board honored all of the founding supporters of the club, which includes local businesses, families and civic organizations. 

"Thank you for the board leadership, thank you for the county leadership that is making a difference in the lives of kids," Lisa Hurst, vice president of organizational development in the B& G Club Southeast Field Operations, said. "We know that if a young person attends a Boys & Girls Club 104 days a year, not only are they more than twice as likely to graduate from high school, but they're 2.5 times as likely to go on to post-secondary education. That is compared to other young people that don't have those opportunities."

The Newton County Boys & Girls Club, located at 13634 Brown Bridge Road, Covington, is now open to provide a safe and positive place for youth in eighth to 12th grade. Programs will focus on academic success, character, leadership development and healthy lifestyles. For more information about the club, visit https://www.bgcncg.com/newtoncounty. 

Celebrating Founding Supporters of Newton County Boys & Girls Club

THANK YOU FOUNDING SUPPORTERS

We are so grateful to the immense support Newton County has shown us in opening our Club. Together we will impact the lives of our Newton youth for years to come. We’d like to thank these special individuals for giving toward founding our Club.

CHAMPIONS OF THE CLUB

LEAVING A LEGACY

FRIENDS OF THE CLUB

NCBGC Board Members

Newton Count Boys & Girls Club Advisory Board

Michael Geoffroy

Keith Curry

Jeff Benzon

Nita Tompson

Kim Wilber

Amber Bennett

Cheveda McCamy

Bobby Heron

Bindford Bramblett

Steve McWilliams

Shakila Henderson-Baker

Nancy Shultz

Betsy Morehouse

Sandy Morehouse

Frank Turner Jr.

Chief Jason Cripps

Newton County Boys & Girls Club Opens Doors to Great Futures

CELEBRATING OUR GRAND OPENING

Teens join Micheal Tompkins, Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia Corporate Board Chair outside for a photo opportunity.

Community members from variation Newton County Government branches joined us for our Grand Opening.

Lisa Hurst, center, Vice President of Organizational Development Southeast Field Operations of Boys & Girls Clubs of America joined us for our celebration!

NCBGC board member, Steve McWilliams, talks with NCBGC Membership Clerk, Ashley, during the grand opening.

NCBGC Club Director, Nakita Williams, shares opening remarks at the Grand Opening.

Newton County Sheriff Officers helped transport teens to the Club on our opening day.

WELCOME TO THE CLUB

LEARNING ZONE

TEEN CENTER

GAME ZONE

On June 3, 2019 we officially opened the doors to our Newton County Boys & Girls Club. Teens arrived early that morning excited to discover what the Club had in store for them and many didn't want to leave once the time came for departure. We are so grateful to all who gave their time, treasures and talents to create this dream into reality. This is just the beginning of the life-long impacts Newton County youth will get to experience because of this Club. We're excited to do this alongside you all Newton County. Great Futures will unfold here, flourish here and develop here into successful adults. Come by for a Club visit, learn how you can become a volunteer and see for yourself what we are doing together. On behalf of our teens, thank you!!

Newton County BGC Getting Ready for Opening

Grand Opening June 3

Newton County Boys & Girls Club’s grand opening is June 3 and with that volunteers have been gathering for Give Back Saturday initiative to get the Club ready for its big day. 

The Club’s location will be at 13634 Browns Bridge Road, Covington GA, 30016. NCBGC Advisory board members and volunteers have been busy working on landscaping to interior renovations to get the Club ready for opening. 

“Our Newton County Boys & Girls Club has been going through major transformations as we prepare for the opening of our Club on June 3rd. We are continuing with the remolding of the inside and outside of the site,” Nakita Williams, NCBGC Director shared. “We are very appreciative of the volunteers that have helped us with our Give Back Saturday events. We have two more events you can be help play a vital role in preparing our Club.”

Williams said so far, “We have collectively removed all items from the buildings that needed to be trashed, pulled up the carpet, worked on the landscaping by removing the trash, planting grass seeds, planting flowers and laying down mulch.”

The two Give Back Saturday’s coming up are:

• May 11 the Club will have a Design Day from 9 am to 12 pm, which will involve organizing furniture, hanging TVs, connecting computers and hanging posters. 

•  June 1 the Club will have a Clean Up Day from 9 am to 12 pm, which will involve cleaning and disinfecting the Club, clearing the area around the Club and ensuring the final touches of the Club are prepared for the grand opening.

Williams said currently NCBGC are accepting teens for the teen summer program, if interested in signing your teen up for our Teen Summer Program please email Nakita Williams at nwilliams@bgcncg.com. 

To learn more about Newton County Boys & Girls Club, visit www.bgcncg.com/newtoncounty.

BGCNCG CEO Named Top 10 Emerging Leaders by B&G of GA

One encounter with Bob Mackey, whether personally or professional, will leave you feeling like a more vibrant human being. He’s in the business of making positive impacts from his smile, candid posture, community involvement and dedication to the youth of Boys & Girls Club – it’s difficult to not become a fan of the work Boys & Girls Clubs does after meeting Bob Mackey. 

Boys & Girls Clubs of Georgia saw this potential and named Mackey one of its ten Emerging Leaders for the past year. The Emerging Leader program is a year-long program designed to develop leadership potential within individuals that are ready to take on executive leadership roles within Boys & Girls Clubs. Ten professionals were named out of nearly one hundred professionals to be an Emerging Leader. The competitive program brings together individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences who have demonstrated a strong potential for leadership and commitment to Boys & Girls Clubs. 

“Bob Mackey is a great example of what this program is all about. Before Bob officially graduated from the program, he had taken on the role of CEO for Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia,” said Paula Mackelburg, Director of Organizational Development for Boys & Girls Clubs of America. “We are proud of the work that Bob has accomplished since taking on his new role! To know how the organization functioned before his leadership makes me even more trustworthy and dedicated to the high-functioning leadership skills Bob possesses. Bob is a robust leader; he builds strong relationships and is coalescing the organization to deepen the impact in the lives of so many young people.” 

For over 15 years, Bob Mackey has been busy at work creating togetherness of change for the North Central Region, Metro Atlanta and beyond. Colleagues and community members refer to him as the impetus of motivation and youth development. 

If you ask Bob, he’ll tell you that “you can’t do this type of work and not make internal changes.” Mackey has stood before new and existing organized initiatives, eager youth advocates, absent businesses and corporations, collegiate institutions and various nonprofit organizations who’ve all have developed a vested interest in making their communities a better place. Even during his tenure working for the Department of Juvenile Justice, Mackey took a strong interest in providing rehabilitation services for the youth and communities by leading local rehabilitation projects for troubled teens. 

Mackey has been with Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia for over ten years. His career in the Movement of Boys & Girls Clubs began as a volunteer, which quickly turned into a part-time job and now he’s responsible for empowering and leading over 100 employees, while providing hope & promise to the youth served. 

For Mackey, surrounding yourself with strong leadership is key to growth and wise council. Mackey notes such leaders as David Roark, Michael Geoffroy, Connie Byrans, Michael Tompkins, Horace Johnson, Brenda Coleman, Tony McCullar, Claude Grizzard, Nancy Vaughn, the late Dick Hodgetts, Harris Warbington, Fred Perriman, Mike Conrads, Joe Edwards, Von Friesen, Babs Johnston, Tom Jones, and many others. 

Mackey’s accomplishments as an Emerging Leader and all-around Youth Advocate are vast. After reading a recent study about how youth who weren’t working or in school, Mackey identified $20,000 from government relations to provide funding to employee teens during the summer and after-school program. As a result, BGCNCG doubled its number of working teens at BGC.  In 2014, he received a nomination as a Champion of Change from The White House Initiative. On a National level, he serves on a committee for the screening of National programs, has twice chaired State-wide professional development conferences for over 1000 BGC Club professionals, and has created initiatives to combat summer learning loss for Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Recently, he was recognized for completing the School of Executive Leadership from the BGCA Spillett Leadership University and Michigan Ross School of Business. 

“The Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia is not your typical Boys & Girls Club. With the rapidly shifting environment and youth crime peaking daily, new initiatives and programs are vital,” Mackey said. “Pool tables and basketballs are no longer enough to keep kids engaged, safe and productive. The village and landscape look completely different from 20 years ago. The fight to give our youth a chance starts with an opportunity to learn, encouraged parent engagement, community partnerships, a safe & fun place, and a focus on teen development.” 

Mackey noted as an organization, BGCNCG has faced “many challenges.” Today, BGCNCG is in great hands according to BGCNCG Advisory Board Chairman Michael Tompkins.

“I must say that North Central Georgia is in great hands. Having a strong and competent leader makes a difference. For our 2018 financial audit, our organization received no financial findings. We’ve made several great improvements and adjustments to better serve the Clubs and youth in our region,” Tompkins shared. “Our board is vested in raising the dollars needed to ensure that the youth we serve have that fighting chance to grab hold of hope and enter into opportunity. The community support we’ve gained is stronger than ever. Our supporters can see and feel the difference. Our parents value the Boys & Girls Club. We’ve promised not to promise but to provide an opportunity to impact our youth. We mean what we say and say what we mean. Great Futures Start with Great Leaders and Great Futures Start at the Boys & Girls Club.” 

Since Mackey became CEO of BGCNCG, the organization has achieved the following results:

·      Provided 18,0000 of hours of after-school development for ages 6-18

·      40+ youth, ages 14-18 received their first job at the Boys & Girls Club during the summer months

·      Increased voluntarism for Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia by 80% and now have over 250 volunteers

·      100% percent of teens who attend our program at least three times a week graduated on time

·      300 youth in our service area learned the game of golf through Boys & Girls Club 

·      Expanded our service area to include Newton County

·      Provided after school and summer program services to over 1300 youth in 2018

·      Increased individual giving by 70% amongst first-time supporters of the movement

·      0 teen pregnancies in 2018 

Currently, BGCNGC serves over 300 teens org-wide.

These results only are a snapshot of the difference that the Boys & Girls Club is making under the leadership of Bob Mackey. 

The late Dick Hodgetts wrote of Bob Mackey, “When Bob Mackey completes his journey, we all can take pride in what he has brought to us.” 

Mackey wants to leave an open invitation to the community to take part in a 10-hour challenge by volunteering at your local Boys & Girls Club. “Less than one hour per month can make a huge impact,” he said. “We need you! Our youth need you, so we can count on each other.”

Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia serve Greene, Morgan, Putnam, Walton and Newton Counties with world-class Youth Development Professionals creating an environment which fosters hope & opportunity for all youth. To learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia, visit www.bgcncg.comor call 770-267-8034. 

Sherwin Williams Donates to NCBGC

Sherwin Williams recently donated 20 gallons of paint to the Newton County Boys & Girls Club, which holds a monetary value of $1,308. Nakita Williams, NCBGC Director, receives the donation from Sherwin Williams alongside, from left to right, Michael Geoffrey, NCBGC Advisory Board Chair; Gregory Anderson, Sherwin Williams Professional Coatings Representative and Dennis Rains, Sherwin Williams Store Manager. 

NCBGC Director Visits Local Middle School

Liberty Middle School Career Day

Newton County Boys & Girls Club Director Nakita Williams recently spoke with youth at Liberty Middle School during their Career Day. She shared with youth how their current actions and behaviors prepare them for the future, while also discussing how the programs at The Club will assist them in their future career goals

For more information about Newton County Boys & Girls Club contact, Nakita Williams at nwilliams@bgcncg.com. To learn more about Newton County Boys & Girls Club visit, www.bgcncg.com/newtoncounty. 

NCBGC Gears Up For Give Back Saturdays

Come help prepare the Club 

 Starting in April Newton County Boys & Girls Club will be asking for the public to join them in preparing the Club to open with Give Back Saturday opportunities. 

“These volunteer opportunities are important for the Newton County Boys & Girls Club so that we can engage the support of our community and overall support out teens,” Nakita Williams, NCBGC Director shared. “We are preparing our teens to become exceptional future leaders and build character. Your help showcases to our teens we are all here to invest in their futures together.”

On April 13 the Club will have a landscaping day from 9 am to 12 pm, which will involve planting small flower gardens, installing a picnic area, pine straw placement and painting picnic tables. 

On April 27 the Club will have an Accent Edition from 9 am to 12 pm, which will involve painting walls in the main Club area. 

On May 11 the Club will have a Design Day from 9 am to 12 pm, which will involve organizing furniture, hanging TVs, connecting computers and hanging posters. 

On June 1 the Club will have a Clean Up Day from 9 am to 12 pm, which will involve cleaning and disinfecting the Club, clearing the area around the Club and ensuring the final touches of the Club are prepared for the grand opening.

For more information or wanting to sign up for volunteering contact, Nakita Williams at nwilliams@bgcncg.com. To learn more about Newton County Boys & Girls Club visit, www.bgcncg.com/newtoncounty. 

NBGC Welcomes Dedicated Youth Advocate

Williams to take Director Position

The Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia is proud to announce Nakita Williams as the Newton County Boys & Girls Club Director. Nakita is an award-winning Youth Advocate, mentor and community leader. She has a strong passion for youth development and strives to motivate and inspire the youth she encounters.

“We look forward to Ms. Williams leading the development of the Newton County Boys & Girls Club,” Bob Mackey President & CEO of BGCNCG shared.  “Her leadership and experience will help provide a safe, fun, clean and productive environment for the youth of Newton County.”  

In 2013, Nakita began fulfilling a promise to give back to her community. She started volunteering with the teens at Daniels Mardak Boys & Girls Club, located in Milwaukee and shortly after joined the team as a Health and Life Skills Specialist. In that role, Nakita implemented many new programs and created several community partnerships. She led her club in winning first place overall in an Organization-Wide PSA Competition on Teen Pregnancy prevention. Nakita implemented a health fair dedicated to youth that has allocated re-occurring funds for her site form organizations such as Wheaton Franciscan Hospital and Children's Hospital Wisconsin-Milwaukee Campus to support the continuation of youth-focused health fairs. Nakita was able to engage stakeholders and funders in her efforts to support teen programming. Her success in this role led her to be promoted to Assistant Club Manager and Character Leadership Supervisor. 

Nakita served as a leader, allocated resources and grants for the organization, all while building relationships and serving as a mentor to hundreds of youth within the community. She was able to increase the memberships of teens, as well as the Average Daily Attendees. In 2015, Nakita was the recipient of the Ruby Groote Mat award, an award that is rewarded to one employee a year throughout the organization.Nakita is instrumental in supporting the professional development of others and serving as a mentor for other colleagues.  

"Nakita has always been able to inspire and motivate anyone she encounters.”Nakita served on various committees including the Youth Arts Initiative which focused on allocating resources funding Art Programs for youth,” The CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee shared. “To prevent more youth from experiencing the traumatizing experiences that she had as a child, she served as an advocate with the Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare and provided insight on policies and procedures that were recommended to be in place to protect children.”

Nakita has over 15 years of experience working in the Human and Social services field.  She exhibits a broad knowledge in youth engagement and support as well as a proven commitment to ensuring the highest quality of services. The foundation of her success lies in her talent and passion for the youth and bringing real-world learning experiences to them.  Nakita has had much success in implementing best practices for youth growth and development throughout her career at organizations.

She has her undergraduate degree in Business Management from Bryant & Stratton College, Graduate Certificate in Counseling specializing in Contemporary Theory in Mental Health Services as well as a Graduate Certificate in counseling specializing in Contemporary Theory in Couple and Family systems from Capella University. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree. Her goal is to not only have a better understanding of youth development, but to provide awareness on how family systems contribute to the growth and development in adolescents. While also developing different techniques to train staff on how to deal with at-promise youth that have experienced trauma. 

Nakita has overcome many obstacles which makes her “relatable” to youth. These obstacles fuel her passion for youth development. She also lives by the quote “I want to inspire people, I want someone to look at me and say, Because of you I didn't give up." This mindset has helped her become a pillar in the community.

Nakita welcomes the opportunity to provide the youth in the Newton County community with the Optimal Club Experience, by guaranteeing unlimited possibilities for all youth. She is honored to take on the role of Club Director at the Newton County Boys & Girls Club and support the mission of the Boys & Girls of North Central Georgia, which is “To enable all young people, especially those who need us the most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.” 

To learn more about Newton County Boys & Girls Club visit, www.bgcncg.com/newtoncounty. You can reach Nakita Williams at nwilliams@bgcncg.com.

BGCNCG Youth Named Semi-Finalist at State Comp

Griggs “shines” a message of positivity 

Ricquaria Griggs believes in empowering others – it’s a message she’s been spreading since joining Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club in 2012. It was there within the walls of her Boys & Girls Club that she found her inner voice and confidence to start sharing her positivity. And, it was on stage at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Georgia Youth of the Year competition she heard her inner voice say, “I’m here.”

‘Here’ was hearing her name being called as a semi-finalist in the state-wide competition, where she competed against more than 30 youth from Georgia Clubs. 

The statewide competition was a three-day competition, which consisted of interviews, essays and speeches focusing on how Boys & Girls Clubs impacted the youth.

For Griggs, the impact was easy to name – “the Club taught me to love myself and how I can in return take that love and give it to my community.”

And even though she didn’t take home the title of state-wide Youth of the Year, Griggs keeps echoing two words, “I’m here.”

“After the winner was announced a fellow Youth of the Year said to me, ‘but, I’m here’ and I couldn’t help but reflect on the meaning of those two words for my life and my future,” she shared. “Wherever I am meant to be and whatever I am truly meant to pursue, I will get there because I was here – because this Club and organization believed in me and because I believed in myself.”

Among those gathered to support Ricquaria was Greene County High School Principal, James Peek, who shared his excitement in her successes. 

“It has been a tremendous experience attending this Youth of the Year ceremony. We at Greene County High School are very proud of Ricquaria’s accomplishments,” he shared. “She is an outstanding student and tremendous leader in our community. I know that she is on the path to do great things in the future.”

For Mike Conrads, a Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia advisory board member and donor toward the Youth of the Year program, watching Ricquaria grow was an immense honor to participate in. 

“Shine is the word – Ricquaria is amazing,” he shared. “She’s such a great representative and she truly has her act together. She knows where she’s going, so humble and just a wonderful spirit. It’s been wonderful to watch her grow through this last year.”

Conrads added, “She’s going to be a superstar in the future – she already is.”

“She’s going to be leader and she is going to come back to our community and give back – that’s her.”

During the course of the last year, Ricquaria was been named Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year, as well as the organization wide Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia Youth of the Year. Her accomplishments are marked by her unrelenting dedication to grow as a leader, as well as an individual. 

Bob Mackey, President & CEO of BGCNCG, said “We are so proud of Ricquaria. She truly lives and breathes our mission statement in her own community efforts to ensure every youth reaches their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.”

“Her accomplishments also echo our core commitment to continue fostering great futures for our youth in North Central, as this marks the second year a youth from our organization was named a semi-finalist in this competition,” he added. “We’re also so grateful for the individuals who helped prepare Ricquaria for this competition. Thank you, Linda and Mike Conrads, June and Michael Tompkins, Terressa and Kim Jensen for helping prep her for the sessions.”

For Ricquaria, her future is bright and sure to be something “amazing.”

“Because of my local Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club and the Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia, I was given the opportunity to share my story and inspire others along the way,” she shared. “I now have the confidence to keep striving to be successful. I can’t wait to see what’s next for me because I know it is going to be something amazing!”

Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Youth of the Year recognition program empowers young people to reach their full potential by providing youth with access to the tools they need to build the great futures they imagine.

Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia’s vision is to provide a world-class experience that assures success is within reach of every young person who enters its doors.

For more information or to donate, visit www.bgcncg.com. If you’d like to get involved, please contact 770-267-8034. 

Newton Federal Bank Shares Passion for Youth

Newton Federal Bank knows first-hand the importance of providing for the community’s youth, as several employees personally put youth first. 

“We see the need in the community for Newton County Boys & Girls Club to be here – it’s a natural fit,” John Smith, Newton Federal Bank President, shared. “I’ve been involved in youth all my life. It’s very important to me and my family.”

Nita Thompson, a NCBGC board member, shared her excitement in Newton Federal Bank’s partnership. 

“It says a lot for a community business to have the foresight to see the importance of a Boys & Girls Club being here in Newton County,” she said. “Their continued support will help us provide the opportunity to make positive impacts in the lives of Newton County children.” 

“Because of community members like Newton Federal Bank we are able to bring hope & opportunity to Newton County youth,” Bob Mackey, Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia CEO & President shared. “We are excited for the ongoing partnership we will have with Newton Federal Bank.”

To learn more about Newton County Boys & Girl Club, visit www.bgcncg.com/newtoncounty or call 770-267-8034. 

BD Awards $5k to Newton Boys & Girls Club

  Pledges Ongoing Support

“We are very excited to support Newton County Boys & Girls Club’s doors opening and are thrilled to support moving forward as well,” Calvin Klitz, Vice President of Human Resources for BD shared.

BD, a global medical technology company, recently donated $5,000 toward NCBGC doors opening this year. It’s part of an ongoing partnership, Klitz mentioned, through Legacy Bard’s social giving program. 

“Community support is key to the success of Newton County Boys & Girls Club changing the lives of Newton’s youth,” Bob Mackey, CEO & President of Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia said. “We are so grateful to BD for making the pledge to be supporters in our ongoing mission to serve the Newton youth with unique engaging programming that helps youth become productive adults.”

To learn more about Newton County Boys & Girls Club, visit Newton County’s club page!

United Bank Believes in NCBGC

“There’s nothing else like Boys & Girls Club,” Thomas Kephart, United Bank President shared recently to a room of Newton County Boys & Girls Club board members. The occasion was the awarding of $2,500 check toward the opening of the Club’s doors this year. 

For Thomas believes in the difference Newton County Boys & Girls Club will make in Newton’s youth. 

“United Bank is pleased to be a sponsor of the Newton County Boys & Girls Club.  We have seen firsthand the increase in the western Newton County population density, and we feel that the Boys & Girls Club will meet an immediate need in that geographical area,” he said. “The organization has a tremendous reputation as a community resource, and the success stories from youth who have been impacted through the Boys & Girls Club are truly exciting and motivating.”

Bob Mackey, CEO & President of Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia, shared his appreciation toward United Bank’s commitment to Newton County youth. 

“Community support is the life blood of what we do and without businesses, like United Bank, we wouldn’t be able to say that this year we’re opening the doors to a place where our youth can become in Newton County.” 

Thomas shared United Bank is confident that “the Newton location will provide huge immediate opportunities for the youth in the area.”

To learn more about Newton County Boys & Girl Club, visit our NEWTON COUNTY Club page.

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