Leading tomorrow

April 9, 2024

The Boys and Girls Clubs of the Cedar Valley has served local youth for over 60 years. Their mission – to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as responsible, productive, caring citizens – means nurturing the community leaders of tomorrow. “These kids running around here in the Club are the ones who will be the mayors, the senators, the city council people, the school board members. They are the kids who will be running this community in the future,” said Bryan Burton, the Boys and Girls Clubs CEO.

Fulfilling that mission starts with showing youth the range of their potential and the possibilities available to them. Kids who come to the Club come from diverse backgrounds. By exposing them to what is possible through programming and community connections, the Club opens their eyes to opportunities. “Our job is to show them potential for the future,” said Bryan.

The Club also partners with the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, receiving nearly $1.5 million in grants through the Foundation since 2003. “Eighty percent of our budget is staffing, and it’s beneficial to have the Community Foundation understand what general operations mean and how important it is to have good staff for youth,” said Rebecca McCarty, Boys and Girls Clubs’ director of development. The Boys and Girls Clubs of the Cedar Valley Youth Development Fund, held with CFNEIA, also provides a trusted charitable opportunity for people to support the Club. “The history of the Community Foundation and its reputation all make it easier for people to trust that their money’s going in the right direction,” said Bryan.

Ultimately, investing in youth is an investment in the Cedar Valley’s future. “If we do our job right, then a lot of the issues that you see in the Cedar Valley won’t be happening anymore,” said Bryan.

It’s about giving every child the opportunity to realize their potential, showing them that it’s not just a dream but a tangible possibility.