New Teen Center Now Open in Moline

IA/IL QUAD-CITIES - The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Valley has opened a new Teen Center in downtown Moline, and will celebrate with two days of public events, including a Reception with Ribbon-Cutting and a special Day for Kids.

The new Teen Center, known to teen members as THE CLUB, is located in the Floreciente neighborhood at 1122 5th Ave., Moline, IL, and will be the location of the following events:

"The Teen Center was designed for teens, ages 13-18, living throughout the Quad Cities," said Grace Johnson, Interim Director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Valley. "We encourage the public to attend our reception on Sept. 20 to see what the Teen Center offers to area youth. We also encourage everyone to stop by on Sept. 21 and enjoy our Day for Kids celebration."

According to Johnson, the new Teen Center of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Valley offers programs to meet both the current and future needs of area teens, including:

"The Teen Center will work with local school districts, along with Scott Community College and Black Hawk College, to identify educational opportunities and specific skill needs in the Quad Cities area," Johnson said. "The Teen Center will assist in coordinating career awareness programs and job training for member teens with colleges and area businesses."

Johnson added that while the upcoming Boys & Girls Club events are free, donations are always welcome. "Young people today face life-threatening challenges on a daily basis," she said. "Substance abuse, gangs, neglect, hunger, poverty - the list is long and heartbreaking. If young people are to grow up to become productive citizens, they need a safe place where they can just be kids. They need caring adults to guide them toward a rewarding future. Boys & Girls Clubs offer that and more. A donation to the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Valley is truly an investment in our community`s future and quality of life."

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Valley, as a chartered member of Boys and Girls Clubs of America, is a tax-exempt organization, duly qualified under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and contributions are tax-deductible in accordance with Federal law.

For more information on the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Valley, call Grace Johnson, Interim Director, at (309) 757-5777, or visit www.bgcmv.org.

The Boys and Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) is a national organization that provides affordable out-of-school programs for youth ages 6-18. Located in all 50 states and on military bases throughout the world, Boys and Girls Clubs is consistently ranked as one of the best organizations for youth in the country. Nationwide, BGCA serves more than 4 million youth in 4,000 Clubs.

The local chapter in the Quad Cities is the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Valley (BGCMV).

Moline Club, 406 7th Street, Moline, IL

Teen Center, 1122 5th Avenue, Moline, IL

Davenport Club, First Presbyterian Church, 1702 Iowa Street, Davenport, IA
Administrative Office, 338 6th St., Moline, IL 61265

Davenport and Moline Club: After-school until 6:00 p.m.

Teen Center "The Club": After-school until 6:30

Summer Hours, Early Dismissals, and No School Days vary.

There are characteristics that touch most youth agencies; however, the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Valley demonstrates these unique characteristics:

Building Centered: BGCMV is a place, an actual building designed for youth programs and activities.

For All Boys and Girls: BGCMV serves all boys and girls, ages 6-18.

Daily Access to Programs: BGCMV locations are open when youth need them the most. They are open Monday through Friday, when youth have free time and need positive alternatives. They are also open on non-holidays when members are not in school.

Affordable: Members pay no more than $25 per program and no child is ever turned away due to inability to pay.

Accessible and Community Based: BGCMV locations are found in neighborhoods where kids need them the most and similar resources are not available.

Trained Professional Staff: Trained and caring youth development professionals provide daily guidance and supervision to Club members and serve as role models and mentors.

Tested, Proven Curricula: BGCMV members participate in a variety of programs in the areas of: Education and Career Development; Character and Leadership Development; Health and Life Skills; The Arts; and Sports, Fitness and Recreation.

Is BGCA the same as Big Brothers Big Sisters?

No, Big Brothers Big Sisters is a mentoring program pairing adult volunteers with individual youth. BGCA is a comprehensive youth development program that serves all its members in one place during out-of-school hours.

During the school year, all members are expected to complete their homework daily during Power Hour. Staff and volunteers are on hand to assist with any questions members may have.

After that, members participate in different activities. BGCMV has a wide variety of programs in five Core Program Areas: Education and Career Development, Character and Leadership Development, Health and Life Skills, The Arts, and Sports, Fitness, and Recreation. BGCMV also provides guest speakers, special events, and field trips to members.

After program time, members have Social Recreation time, where they can learn recreation games such as pool or ping pong, play video games, finish art projects, and have free time with their friends.

All BGCMV clubs provide a free snack to members daily and offer snacks to be bought on Wednesdays and Fridays. The Moline Club also serves dinner to members Monday to Thursday.

Any child between the ages of 6 to 18 years old who is currently enrolled in school.

Davenport and Moline Club: $12 per year

Teen Center "The Club": $25 per year

Additional fees may apply to Summer Programs (generally $20)

Fees are kept low so that the BGCMV is accessible to all children. The target population is those who are most at risk.

All funding comes from individual and corporate donations, grants and special events.

BGCMV is NOT a court-ordered program. Members come to BGCMV locations because they want to. The number 1 reason kids come to Club is to have FUN. This is a drop-in program so they can leave at any time. The BGCMV keeps it fun so that kids want to stay.

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