How the Boys and Girls Club is developing tomorrow's leaders

The Boys and Girls Club of Wake County is a vital resource for the community that relies on donations to provide affordable membership and support programs that help young people in our community succeed in school, at work, and in life. Thanks to the dedication of volunteers and donors, this organization has been making a difference in the lives of kids in Raleigh and the surrounding areas since the 1960s.

Ralph Capps, the president, and CEO has been with the Boys and Girls Club of Wake County for nearly 50 years. He was first introduced to the club as a child member and eventually got a job with the organization after college. For him, no two days are the same and it can be a challenging job, but it has filled him with pride and appreciation for the impact the organization continues to make in the lives of children. "When you see kids come in and then they're graduating from college, they're back working with us, or they're educators in the community, it's just really gratifying," said Capps. The Boys and Girls Club of Wake County started with just one club in a church basement and has now grown to seven clubs throughout the county that serve thousands of children. They offer youth development, resources for academic success, and community service programs. They also work to prevent drug and alcohol abuse among their members to keep kids on the path to living a happy, successful, and fulfilling life.

A driving factor for Whitley Law Firm’s involvement with the Boys and Girls Club of Wake County is its leadership programs. Leadership and after-school programs can help keep kids engaged in their communities and nurture leaders in communities that need leaders. In turn, those communities thrive and have a ripple effect. "The idea is keeping kids engaged, keeping them in after-school programs, and keeping people away from issues that could drag them out. Supporting organizations that are willing to support leadership in low-income communities by offering after-school programs is critical," said Ben Whitley.

The Boys and Girls Club relies heavily on donations from the community to keep its doors open and continue making a difference in the lives of young people. The annual membership fee is only $7 per child, but it costs the organization over $700 to provide all the services and programs each child receives. Yet, the board has been firmly against raising the cost to families to ensure equitable access to their vital programs.

One of the things that set the Boys and Girls Club apart from other organizations is the relationship of trust it has built with the community and its members. When the organization was first founded, the board of directors made sure to include a rule in their code of operation that said all members would be accepted regardless of race. This commitment to helping all children in the community has been a critical part of the Boys and Girls Club's success and the continuing support they receive from the community. It has also ensured that children from all walks of life feel welcomed and accepted by the organization.

The Boys and Girls Club is also unique in that many of the leaders and volunteers are individuals who grew up in the club and are now giving back to their community. This provides a strong sense of mentorship for the currently enrolled kids. The club has also been a critical resource for providing trauma care to children in Wake County, especially as we continue to see alarming trends in youth mental health.