MONROE, NC – Representative Larry Kissell (NC-08) visited the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Charlotte at their Monroe location at Monroe Middle School. Kissell toured the school with Moses Fox, III, Union County Area Director, and spoke with staff and volunteers.
“I’m so excited to see the Boys and Girls Club program here at Monroe Middle,” said Kissell. “The Boys and Girls Club has provided children with a safe place to learn and play for over a century. The program gives our kids a safe place to go after school, to have fun with other neighborhood children, while helping them develop into responsible citizens. Our community is so thankful for the many caring adults who volunteer their time to guide these children, and I thank Moses for inviting me here today and look forward to working with the Boys & Girls Club as they continue to do great things for our community.”
Fox welcomed Kissell to the program to see the positive impact it is having on the community as a whole, in addition to the young people who attend.
“I thank Congressman Kissell for taking the time to come out and visit with the Union County Boys and Girls Club,” said Fox. “We are extremely excited to be here and I can tell from our meeting with him today that he is also excited about the club being in Union County and the expansion that is taking place within the county.”
Though the first Boys & Girls Club in Charlotte was started in 1934, the Monroe location just began service in January of this year on the campus of the Middle School. Today, The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Charlotte, NC serves over 2,100 youth members at seven locations across the region.
“This new opportunity will help serve the growing community here in Union County well, and will continue our area’s tradition of providing our youth with solid trustworthy afterschool options to keep them active and engaged in their surroundings,” added Kissell.
Kissell and Fox also discussed the role of the Club as a means for children from all walks of life to gather and make friends, and keep them in a positive environment that is out of trouble and away from any danger.
“I also want to emphasize that the Boys and Club is not a place for bad kids, or kids who would have been identified in the past as at-risk kids,” added Fox. “It’s a place where kids can come be in a safe environment, be around nurturing and caring adults and really begin that process of giving them the tools that are essential for them to grow as individuals, as well as develop friendships and just be kids.”
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