With the support of the Office of the Local Children’s Board, the Department of Community Resources and Services, and many others, Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Baltimore (BGCMB) is proud to bring Boys & Girls Club programming to Howard County, beginning with a six-week summer camp at DoodleHATCH. The camp brings a full array of Boys & Girls Club programs and activities, including Youth for Unity, Drama Matters, Ultimate Journey, STEM, yoga, and more. The summer camp comes amidst ongoing planning to open a Boys & Girls Club after-school program at Laurel Woods Elementary School.
Pictured: Four members at our Howard County summer camp
BGCMB extends a special thanks to Howard County resident Jennifer Young, who has worked tirelessly over the past several years to help bring Boys & Girls Club programming to Howard County. Jennifer’s son, Xavier, was tragically killed in Laurel in 2017. Since Xavier’s passing, Jennifer has worked with countless elected officials and leaders to help establish an affordable, after-school program for youth in the area. “There wasn’t anywhere for [Xavier] to go. He would just loiter,” Young explained. A Club alumna herself, growing up in New Hampshire, Young knows the impact Boys & Girls Club programming can have on young people, "[The Clubs] are affordable and [the kids] are learning so many things.” When Young saw the need in Howard County, she worked tirelessly to put the resources in place to get Club programming off of the ground. “[Xavier] would have loved to be a member,” Young said, and she is “excited for all of the kids who will be able to experience great programming. All of these kids deserve a chance to succeed.”
BGCMB is proud to honor Xavier’s legacy by providing a safe place, caring mentors, and quality programs to more young people in Howard County.
Pictured: Jennifer with her son, Xavier.