New Yelm Branch of Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County Hosts Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting

Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County (BGCTC) will host a Grand Opening celebration and ribbon cutting for its newest branch in Yelm on Wednesday, October 23, 5-7 pm. The celebration will be held at the Yelm Branch located at 105 W. Yelm Ave in Yelm, WA. An official ribbon cutting and reception will follow a brief program recognizing the city, school, and local community partners who helped make the Club a possibility. The event will also include Club tours and remarks from the 2019 BGCTC Youth of the Year, Johanna Chhay.

The new Yelm Branch features learning, innovation, and activity spaces for youth 6 to 12 years of age and is the sixth Thurston County Club to serve youth. Yelm community partners and supporters advocated for the Club and space to house the new Yelm Branch. The Club opened its doors at the start of the 2019-20 school year and answered the community’s call for a safe place offering structured enrichment programs for youth, when school is not in session. The Club hopes to reach 100 new members in its first year of operation.

Chris Woods, BGCTC CEO, notes, “We are incredibly honored to partner with the City and schools to respond to the needs of the children and families in Yelm. This building, with the support of so many in the community that have stepped up to invest in this Club, will open up a new world of opportunity for youth in Yelm.”

Lead gifts for the Yelm Branch came from the Stars Foundation of Thurston County, Steve & Michele Boone, Yelm Dairy Queen, Joseph & Elizabeth Williams, TwinStar Credit Union, Timberland Bank, Gary & Deborah Edwards, Yelm Cinemas, and Prairie Park Hotel, LLC.

The Club experience supports youth during critical out-of-school hours, helps them see success is possible, and ensures members are on track to graduate from high school with a plan for future. Young people attending the Club experience fun and nurturing activities focused on supporting academic success, living healthy lifestyles, and demonstrating good character and citizenship.