March 8, 2024, marked a pivotal day for the community of Van Buren Township, as the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan (BGCSM), in collaboration with the Van Buren Public School District and Van Buren Township, announced its return to the area. The announcement, made during a press conference at Belleville High School, was attended by notable figures including Shawn H. Wilson, President & CEO of BGCSM, Van Buren Township Supervisor Kevin McNamara, Van Buren Public Schools Superintendent Peter Kudlak, State Senator Darrin Camilleri, Wayne County Commissioner Alisha Bell, and Bryce Underwood, Belleville High School’s top quarterback, among others.
The resurgence of BGCSM in Van Buren Township comes after a hiatus that began in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and challenges related to an outdated program delivery model. Originally established in the area with the opening of the Donahey Club in 2008, the organization was known as a safe space for elementary-aged children after school. However, the evolving needs of the community and the organization’s vision for broader impact have led to a reimagining of their programs.
Shawn Wilson elaborated on the transformation, stating, “When BGCSM closed the Donahey Club doors in 2020, we were largely an after-school ‘safe space’ for elementary-aged youth. Since then, we’ve reimagined our programs and impact to serving a wider range of youth and offering diverse programs including competitive and recreational sports and paid workforce training in highly sought-after industries including Design, AI, fashion, and esports. We are beyond grateful to Van Buren Township and the VBPS District for their partnership and look forward to impacting the lives of youth for years to come!”
The reintroduction of BGCSM to the community includes the launch of the Boys & Girls Clubs Tigers youth sports program, catering to children aged 6-14 with offerings such as basketball, cheer, contact football, flag, and 7v7 football. This initiative fills a void left by the Belleville Cougars’ departure from the local youth tackle-football and cheerleading scene.
Connor Sampson, the BGC Tigers Athletic Coordinator and a former 2016 quarterback for Belleville High School, expressed enthusiasm about the revival of youth sports in his hometown, noting the personal benefits he gained from such programs and his eagerness to extend those opportunities to the current generation. “I’m excited to be part of bringing youth sports back to the community I grew up in,” said Sampson. “I benefitted from youth sports and look forward to providing that same opportunity to as many youths as possible.”
The BGCSM’s comeback is seen as a vital step towards addressing the need for more out-of-school time providers in the Van Buren Township area. By partnering directly with the Van Buren Public School District and utilizing spaces at local schools and the Van Buren Community Center, the organization aims to offer comprehensive programs and services to the community’s youth.
Leon Wright, Van Buren Township Clerk, lauded the initiative, highlighting the opportunity to enhance youth engagement and transform Van Buren Township into a premier community through this collaboration. “This is an incredible opportunity to fill a programming gap for our community youth” states Wright. “Our entire Township Board is thrilled about this partnership, and excited to see how these programs and the community support take our youth engagement to the next level and make Van Buren Township a premier community”.
In a special announcement, BGCSM and Bryce Underwood revealed the upcoming “Bryce Underwood Quarterback Camp” scheduled for this spring in Van Buren Township. The camp is supported by a $1,000 donation from Gatorade in honor of Underwood’s recognition as the Gatorade High School Player of the Year, with BGCSM contributing an additional threefold match to the fund.
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