Benefit Ball to Support Triana Boys and Girls Club

It's been a rough couple of months for the Triana Boys and Girls Club. A fire that destroyed the Triana Public Library in September also did considerable damage to the facility that houses the Triana Boys and Girls Club, which was leasing space under the same roof, and has forced them to temporarily move to the gymnasium at the Triana City Hall facility. Smoke damage from the fire as well as water damage sustained when the fire was being put out destroyed the fifteen computers that the kids used both educationally and recreationally, as well as many of the club's games, books, and supplies.

Coach Joel Lewis, the Club's Director, says that Triana's mayor has pledged to rebuild the facility and give the Boys and Girls Club a home again, but for now they're making do with a few donated computers in a storage closet and a great big echoing gymnasium. Even if they had there own facility back, however, the Club will be a shadow of its former self until they can replace the equipment that was lost in the fire.

The original premise of the "The Club That Beats The Streets", was serving underprivileged or at-risk youth by providing mentoring and a safe place to gather. The current mission of the Boys and Girls Club is inspire and mentor not just at risk or underprivileged youth but any young people who may need it. When school is in session, the Triana Branch provides an afterschool session that features games and activities, a 'Power Hour' with tutoring and homework assistance, and occasionally field trips and guest speakers from the community. The summer program is from 8am until 5pm all summer long. Parents whose children attend the Club are required to pay a small amount of tuition, but no one is turned away because they can't pay. Much of their day-to-day expenses, however, comes from giving, and the bulk of those gifts come from individuals.

Coach Lewis and his staff measure success in their mission sometimes by seeing the kids graduate high school, sometimes just by knowing they're helping them stay out of trouble, and often just by seeing them mature into confident, capable and determined young men and women. He's especially moved when these young men and women who have grown up come back to the program to visit, motivate, and inspire the next generation. Coach Lewis describes himself as having grown up in the Boys and Girls club. He became director three years ago after paying his dues as a staff member. With a background in education and experience as both a teacher and a coach, it seemed a natural fit. To do his job well, the important thing is that the kids like and respect him. He can't help the kids if they don't come to his club, and they won't come to his club if they don't find it enjoyable and valuable. In the words of one of the people who trained him for the job "Kids vote with their feet".

The Northern Alabama chapter of USA Dance has decided to lend a helping hand to the beleaguered club by supporting it in our first annual charity ball. Please join us in November as we present a night of dance performances as well as open dancing for our members and guests. Our goal is to raise enough money for the Triana Boys and Girls Club Restoration Fund to enable them to buy what they need to replace the games that were lost to the fire. Previously they had pool, foosball, table tennis, and air hockey tables, as well as board games and other recreational equipment. Coach Lewis, who apparently knows a trick or two when it comes to stretching charitable dollars, confided, "Sometimes I can find a used pool table for sale and can convince them to donate it as a charitable contribution instead."

Matt Johnson