Stakeholders, supporters of Natchez Boys and Girls Club chapter invited to meeting

Stakeholders and anyone interested in learning about or being involved with the establishment of a Natchez chapter of Boys and Girls Club is invited to an informal meeting on the topic on Wednesday afternoon.

Greg West, who has championed efforts to reestablish a Natchez-based Boys and Girls Club to create education, workforce and character development opportunities for area youth said that the National Director of Development for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the Chief Professional Officer of the Southwest MS Boys & Girls Club, Clyde McGuire will be in town Wednesday and will host the meeting for the prospective Natchez chapter from 4:15 to 5:15 p.m. at the Natchez Grand Hotel.

This meeting aims to “inform and direct the community on steps to take to bring a B&G Club back to Natchez-Adams County,” West said.

Also involved is Marcus Pittman, who heads the nearest chapter in McComb.

Local officials have voiced their support of the endeavor to bring back the Boys and Girls Club, which more than a decade ago serviced over 200 area youth at the former Margaret Martin School.

The former Robert Lewis Middle School is proposed to be the new location, which is subject to the Natchez Adams School District Board of Trustees agreeing to lease the building.

“I have long been a believer in what Boys and Girls Clubs can do to enrich the lives of our children,” Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson said. “I applaud the efforts of everyone working to make this a reality here in Natchez. I look forward to enthusiastically supporting this endeavor, and I encourage everyone who longs to see more opportunities and resources for our children to get behind them.”

West invited anyone locally who is interested in participating in this endeavor to attend the meeting Wednesday.

On the following Thursday and Friday, a few representatives from Natchez as well as other chapters in the region will be participating in a training at the Annual council meeting of Louisiana & Mississippi B&GC at the Grand Hotel.

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