The Boys and Girls Club Use Donations to Impact Students Academically 

Leaders of The Boys and Girls Club of Grant County used donations provided by the Community Foundation of Grant County to fund the organization’s educational programming.  

The Community Foundation of Grant County said in a press release that they awarded the donations on Nov. 6, 2024. Joe Jordan, president and CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of Fort Wayne, said the Community Foundation awarded the organization with $15,000 to support the program Project Learn.  

“Project Learn is really kind of a evidence based program provided by the National Boys and Girls Club of America that we conduct every day in our clubs,” Jordan said. “It’s about academic enhancement, homework assistance, and getting kids back on track academically.” 

Christopher Wallace, senior director of the Boys and Girls Club of Grant County, said some of the donations provided maps to help children learn about places outside of Marion. The funds also provided materials for educational activities and sports equipment to help with physical exercise and teamwork.  

The club offers Power Hour to help children with their homework.  

“Power Hour just provides them with the opportunity to get that undivided attention from an adult that also understands the content,” Volunteer Kiersten Todd said. 

Wallace said that the Boys and Girls Club works closely with the school system. 

“We want these kids to know that the Boys and Girls Club is valuable. We are very, very valuable to education, social, mental, physical health. And the educational portion of this is actually getting involved with the school, being apart, being a face and letting them see us and understanding that we’re all in this together” Wallace said.  

Volunteer Mackenzie Boyer said she appreciates the academic help the organization provides for students.  

“When I came last semester when the kids were first starting off their school year, it was amazing to just sit down with the kids and go through homework. And then, seeing their academic growth from last semester to this point is something that is really amazing,” Boyer said.

Wallace said that even though donations are important, he places more value on the work the club does in building relationships with students.  

“Every child wants somebody to believe in them,” Wallace said. “And that’s us.”