MARION, Ill. (WSIL)-- The Boys and Girls Clubs of ¾ÅÓÎÌåÓý Illinois hosted a soft opening of their center in Marion.
Locals heard from the organization and local leaders about the reopening. Families were welcomed inside to tour the building.
This summer the organization launched a fundraising campaign to bring back several services after being stopped last year.
Those include after-school activities, mentoring, and family support services.
The New CEO LaShonda Hubert wants the community to know they are back.
“We are ready to provide dynamic programming and support our families in the community and we will emerge stronger and larger from here,� Hubert says. “With the Boys and Girls Club, we offer homework help, academic assistance, character, education, career, and college readiness.�
At the event, families could buy food from local vendors and meet the club's local staff and board members.
“I understand that the community has been without this service for so long and so many working families depend on the services that the Boys and Girls Club offers. So it's important for us to come back into the community and provide that support,� Hubert said.
The Boys and Girls Club had signup forms to become a member.
Sara Christakos� family is from Marion. She says her son was a part of the club before services stopped, and now they are back signing up their second kid.
“It's great for all children that you come here of all ages and they have so many different programs they can do,� Christakos says. “Their schedule is incredible. They went on trips like they had animals here before. I think it's just a great thing for kids to go through.�
The group is also bringing back services to Carbondale. That club location will be at the First United Methodist Church.
A soft opening for them will be Friday, November 1st, at 4:30 pm.Â
