The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club of Alamance County is Burlington, N.C., organization that strives to give kids in the local community a place to grow and shine.
Its after-school program is home to a caring staff who work with the kids in numerous areas. With its focus on child development, the organization fosters social skills, life skills, mental health, spirituality, tutoring, arts and leadership. The Boys & Girls Club is the place that gives children the opportunities and resources to know that their future is full of endless possibilities.
Volunteers from Elon are very impactful because they enhance the organization’s mission to give children positive role models. Tara Nagar, the Boys & Girls Club branch manager, is an Elon alumna who volunteered at this organization as an undergraduate student. She describes volunteering at this organization as an “opportunity to get outside of the Elon bubble” as well as making meaningful connections with the children as they act as mentors. The mentoring of the children she says “gives kids hope” as they look forward to their futures in or outside of Burlington.
Robby Burnette, the area director for the Boys & Girls Club, describes this center to be “for all children.” He is passionate about creating an environment for kids from all backgrounds and making the Boys & Girls Club a safe haven for children as they navigate growing up and looking forward to the future.
The Boys & Girls Club is an inspiring place focused on a broad range of child development efforts. The energy within the center is vibrant, the children respect and admire the staff and mentors, and you can feel a sense of community. “Anybody who wants to make an impact, can,” Burnette said.
Interested in volunteering at this center? The Kernodle Center for Civic Life provides service opportunities every Friday from 2:30 to 6 p.m. including transportation. For more information about shifts at the Boys & Girls Club, email wsmith33@elon.edu.