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A voice for youth — Boys and Girls Club, honorees seek to improve area
Friday, March 10, 2023 ~ Updated 2:27 PM
The Boys and Girls Club of the Heartland honored members of the club Thursday during an event at the Claudia House. Pictured from left are: Harley Stilwell, Youth of the Year; Robbie Toth, executive club director; and Delanie Faughn, Junior Youth of the Year.
Photo provided
Harley Stilwell is a 16-year-old high school sophomore. And a 16-year-old college freshman. And an 11-year member of Boys and Girls Club of the Heartland.
She wants to pursue teaching, either in music or special education, both of which she says she’s passionate about.
Her biggest aggravation in life is seeing someone be belittled.
Most importantly, she wants to be a voice for those in her age group who may be discounted or overlooked.
Harley Stilwell, the Youth of the Year for Boys and Girls Club of the Heartland, shares Thursday how her time with club has impacted her life.
Photo provided
This is what Stilwell shared Thursday when she was announced as Youth of the Year for Boys and Girls Club of the Heartland.
“I believe the best thoughts and ideas come from the hearts and minds of youth,” she said to those gathered at the Claudia House for the program’s annual Great Futures Banquet. “I think if you silence the voices of today, you silence the voices of tomorrow. When you silence the voices of tomorrow, you silence the voices of the future generations.
“That doesn’t help at all. You’re taking away many precious ideas, many great values.
“You could shush a child’s voice today and they could come up with the cure for cancer.”
Stilwell will represent the club in Jefferson City later this year when clubs from across the state come together for the Missouri Alliance of Boys and Girls Club annual event.
Stilwell participates in the Poplar Bluff program’s Reading Buddies and Great Futures programs. The Great Futures program partners with Three Rivers College to provide students with college classes at no cost. Stilwell hopes to have her associate’s degree complete or nearly complete by her high school graduation.
“Boys & Girls Club is a place where I can be myself with no resentment or ridicule. I’m just as much of a person as everyone else, and they show it,” she has said. “I am a part of a big, big family where I have been accepted like nowhere else, my club.”
Stilwell will be joined there by Junior Youth of the Year Delanie Faughn, an eighth grader who has been attending club for six years. Faughn is an active junior staff member who helps lead the Be A Star anti-bullying program at Eugene Field Elementary and is active in community service projects.
“Boys & Girls Club means friends, family, love, support, but most importantly it means home,” Faughn said. “I always feel so secure and happy here, it is amazing.”
Faughn thanked the staff of Boys and Girls Club for the countless opportunities they’ve provided over the years.
“I’ve gained valuable life skills because of Boys and Girls Club,” she said, adding she also has seen the positive results of their work, both on those served and those who do the work.
The annual banquet is a time when members, staff and supporters gather to celebrate the hard work and achievements of the previous year, while looking forward to future projects.
The club is in the process of expanding outside of Butler County, to provide regional services. It is also fundraising to build a teen center in Poplar Bluff that could serve the region.
Approximately $3 million has been raised toward the contraction of a 40,000-square-foot teen center which would be located adjacent to the high school. The $10 million project would expand educational, vocational and social growth opportunities for teens in Poplar Bluff and throughout Southeast Missouri, staff have said.
This is a tremendous project for the community, Dr. Scott Dill, Poplar Bluff R-I superintendent, said in a video presentation, adding that anything that is good for club is good for the students of the Poplar Bluff School District.
This community has always been willing to step up and work to improve the area, he added, whether it was a tax to build a four-lane highway or improve a school district.
“This community does not wait for help. We help ourselves and it’s time for our community to step up now,” he said.
Raymond Webb, president of the Boys and Girls Club of the Heartland board, speaks Thursday at an event for the organization, which was held at Claudia House.
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Board members shared the project will need extensive community support, but that everyone who lives, works and raises a family here will benefit. A community thrives with an educated and productive youth, members shared.
Retired police officer and board member Jeff Rolland talked of the need he saw for youth to have a safe space like the club, where they received help with their homework, a decent meal in the afternoon and support.
“Very few times in our lives do we do something that directly impacts a young person’s life and so boys and girls club fills that hole,” he said, adding the support and educational services it provides to its teen members can help break the cycle of poverty. “We are on the precipice of growth. Let’s make sure our kids are prepared for it, so that when those jobs come, our kids can fill them.”
The teen center will help the club reach even more kids and go even farther than ever before, said Robbie Toth, executive club director.
Raymond Webb, president of the club’s Board of Directors, thanked all of the staff and supporters for their hard work and dedication.
Heather Swift of the Boys and Girls Club of the Heartland accepts the Ms. Robbie Award on Thursday from Robbie Toth, executive club director. Swift was recognized for her dedication to the youth who attend club.
Photo provided
“Boys and Girls Club reminds me of a community. We give those kids the opportunity to have a safe environment and to engage,” he said.
Boys and Girls Club of the Heartland staff member Heather Swift received the Ms. Robbie Award. Swift was recognized for her dedication to the youth who attend club.