Moving Forward

The Boys & Girls Clubs in Opelousas and four others across Acadiana are joining with South Louisiana Community College to mentor at-risk youth in a partnership that includes free summer camp, college scholarships, and peer mentoring.

This summer, up to 90 Boys & Girls Club participants will have their tuition covered for SLCC’s Discovery College, an annual camp program for students in grades 6 through 12.

Discovery College includes sessions related to the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) initiative recently introduced into school curriculums, along with ACT preparation and programs in areas including aviation, fine 

and performing arts, culinary skills, robotics, video game making, and first aid.

A grant award from Capital One to fund summer education opportunities for low- to moderate-income individuals will help support the program.

“The opportunity for Club members to attend SLCC’s Discovery College is right in line with the priority outcome of academic success we have for our members, for members to graduate from high school ready for college, military, or employment,” said Chris Martin, President/CEO for Boys & Girls Clubs of Acadiana.

Also in discussion is a mentoring program through SLCC’s Center for Minority Excellence (CME) in which SLCC students will mentor participants in the Boys & Girls Clubs. The CME program was made possible through a Predominantly Black Institutions grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The grant aims to increase enrollment, retention, transfer and college completion rates of African-American students.

“Having a peer mentor who is in college and is in their corner to see them succeed in college can make a big difference, especially for first-generation college students,” according to Dr. Natalie Harder, SLCC’s chancellor. “As both SLCC and the Boys & Girls Clubs are committed to seeing young people succeed, I see a strong and growing partnership between the two organizations for years to come.”

In addition, an anonymous donor has funded $500 scholarships to SLCC for the “Youths of the Year” of each of the five Boys & Girls Clubs of Acadiana. Each club selects a Youth of the Year through a process that includes essays, interviews, and speeches.

“SLCC serves as a natural transition to these phenomenal Youths of the Year,” said Lana Fontenot, SLCC’s associate vice chancellor for Institutional Advancement. “This donor wanted to tangibly offer encouragement and support as these youths begin the next phase of their upward education and career development.”

This year’s Youths of the Year are JoeNathyn Dominguez of the Opelousas club, Isaiah Pickney of the Iberia Club, Meeyana Richard of the Granberry Club in Lafayette, Dhaija Smith of the Jackie Club in Lafayette, and Raven Holmes of the Vermilion club. The Opelousas club is located at 814 East Laurent Street.