Staff Spotlight: Boys & Girls Clubs
As summer comes to a close, The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Atlanta took time to reflect on the impact the staff made on the lives of summer camp attendees. “They bring the energy every day they come to work… bringing a commitment to working with the children in our community,” said Joshua Dickerson, executive director of The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Atlanta.
Nearly 400 children attended this year’s Summer Camp. Over the past eight weeks participants attended sleep-away camp at Camp Grandview, learned through visits to arts and cultural sites, problem solved in Robotics club, explored their creativity in a poetry writing class and even took a trip to Canton, OH for a flag football championship.
To recognize the staff’s commitment to serving local youth, Dickerson invited the team members from all three clubs – Bellwood, Fuqua and Peachcrest – to an afternoon of food and fun. They enjoyed quality time together while leadership provided words of appreciation for the hard work they did this summer. “We wanted to get our staff together to say we appreciate you and say thank you for keeping our children safe while they provided quality care this summer,” said Dickerson.
Club staff is comprised of part-time and full-time employees. Some team members are former Boys & Girls Club members while others have a desire to help children from underserved communities thrive. Former club member Jabri Floyd joined the Boys & Girls Club at the age of five and was so inspired by what he gained as a member that he wanted to give that back to others. He currently works as the gym coach at the Fuqua Boys and Girls Club, going on his second year as an employee. When asked why he chose to return as an employee Floyd said “I remembered all the opportunities the club gave me, and I wanted to help kids that were like me. Kids that are going through the same struggles I went through.” One of Floyd’s favorite things that the clubs offer is career exploration and assisting youth in making goals for their future.
The membership clerk at the Bellwood Boys & Girls Club began working at the Club in 1996. Mrs. Wright’s first experience with The 
Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs was as a volunteer while she was in college. She loves getting to see where the youth she works with go in their lives. She recently met with one of her former kids who is now a doctor. She said,” I enjoy getting to see the kids grow up and do some good with their lives.”
Whether they are a new or long-time employee, the staff of The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Atlanta make a difference in the lives of Atlanta area youth, and we are grateful for their commitment. To learn more about the Boys & Girls Clubs, click here.