Lafayette, LA (KPEL News) - You have likely heard the name Boys & Girls Clubs of Acadiana. You may know that they have locations in Lafayette, New Iberia, Abbeville, Opelousas, Lake Charles, and Natchitoches. What you may not know is how beneficial they are to the children that are members and the scope of activities they offer.

Boys & Girls Clubs, in general, have numerous locations across Louisiana, but their Acadiana Charter services the area from Lafayette to Lake Charles and has added the Natchitoches club to their list. In the fall of 2024, they will open the doors of their ninth location in Crowley.

The mission is simple:

To empower all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. 

A tour of any club shows happy children from the ages of 6 to 18 who are engaged and incredibly well-behaved. It's amazing to see 100 children in a space who are participating in activities that are fun and educational. During the school year, they are served a dinner in the afternoon and do all their homework. They have rules, many of which are created by them, that they follow and remind each other to follow as well.

A bright spot at each club that I personally have visited is the club director. That person is passionate, creative, and organized. They are also adored by the children.

A person in the position of club director has numerous responsibilities, but is also able to tailor the environment to the needs of the children that particular club serves.

At the Jackie Club in Lafayette, the director has created a "Jackie bucks" program. The children earn these pretend dollars for various accomplishments or "job well done" that they can use to shop in a little store inside the facility that is stocked with items donated from local stores. It shows the children that positive behavior is rewarded and the value of currency.

At one of the two clubs in New Iberia, the children help take care of various giant lizards. That may sound strange (and maybe a bit creepy) to an adult, but the children learn about helping others and responsibility.

In advance of the fall opening of the Crowley Club, Boys & Girls Clubs of Acadiana is looking for the right person to serve as club director. The ideal candidate will be trained to take the helm of that facility so that it can be as fantastic as the others in the BGCA service area.

What does the job look like? The summary on the website summarizes as follows:

Boys & Girls Clubs of Acadiana is looking for an energetic, talented, and passionate candidate to serve as the Club Director at the Crowley location. Under the supervision of the Area Manager, this position is responsible for developing and implementing youth development instructional strategies, content, and management of the organization’s evaluation system.  The Club Director will lead a team of part-time Youth Development Professionals towards the mission and goals of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Acadiana.  The Club Director will work alongside the BGCA Leadership Team to bring research and evidence-based practices and strategies into the club and out into the community.

They are looking for a person who is energetic, kind, and agile. You can read more about the requirements and responsibilities of the position, pay and benefits, and apply on the Boys & Girls Clubs website linked here.

The leadership staff, located in Lafayette, is hoping to fill the Crowley position as quickly as possible with the right person.