Neighborhood Philanthropy: Boys & Girls Club of North Mississippi
Oxford is host to some wonderful non-profit organizations that provide for our community in so many ways. We want to provide a glimpse of these organizations each month. The Boys & Girls Club of North Mississippi has been serving youth ages 6-18 since 1996. Oxford’s Clubhouse, the L.O.U. Barksdale Clubhouse, was opened in 2006. Led by Director, Kenorus Wilson, the club provides local children a safe place to go after school and during the summer months.
Summer Campers!
I recently toured the facility located on Washington Avenue and met with Kenorus Wilson, the director. To say he is passionate about the work he does there is an understatement. Kenorus shared, “I was blessed to grow up with my parents both there for me. They were at all of my little league games and my mom made sure we were in church anytime it was open. I know how I felt to have my parents there to watch and care for me, and I want to be that person for these kids in our club. I try to go to as many of their sporting events as I can!”
The club is open after school during the school year and, after taking a week-long break at the end of the school year, it opens back up to provide summer camps. The club can host as many as 200 students ages 6-18. Club members enjoy a variety of activities including homework help, tutoring, mentoring, basketball, video gaming, exercise classes, technology discovery through our computer labs, art lessons, civic leadership clubs, entrepreneurship workshops, and self-esteem workshops. The L.O.U. Barksdale Clubhouse is most proud of its special programs for the different age groups. Depending on the age, these programs focus on educational skills to proper hygiene to learning respectful habits to preparing for college to career planning to money matters (writing checks, opening bank accounts, etc.).
The L.O.U. Barksdale Clubhouse
Kenorus Wilson leads his team of staff members and welcomes daily volunteers. Volunteers simply fill out a form from the front desk and can serve during the school year from 2:00-6:00 pm or 8:00 am-5:00 pm during the summer months. They also motivate older students in the club to become Junior Staff members. One junior staff member who is a 10th grader at Oxford High School, Alicia, shared that she has been attending the local club since she was 6 years old. “I’ve loved having the Boys & Girls Club in my life. It’s helped me to open up and be less shy. I wanted to become a junior staff so I could have an impact on younger students.”
Kenorus Wilson, far right, with his staff
The L.O.U. Barksdale Boys & Girls Clubhouse is always in need of snacks for the daily club members and they are looking for school supply donations, as well. They are particularly in need of pencils, paper, binders, backpacks and art supplies. And, of course, they would love to have more daily volunteers. If you would like to donate or consider volunteering, contact them at 662-832-0602 or email Kenorus at kwilson@bgcnms.org. In addition, the Boys & Girls Club of North Mississippi is hosting its annual fundraiser “Dance Like the Stars” on July 30, 2022 at 6:30 pm at the BancorpSouth Arena in Tupelo, MS. You can purchase tickets to attend and/or purchase tickets in support of a particular dancer. This year the L.O.U. Barksdale Clubhouse dancers are Nancy Maria Balach and Brady Bramlett. Click here to learn more and donate!
We are grateful to the L.O.U. Barksdale Boys & Girls Club and the Boys & Girls Club of North Mississippi for providing our local children with safe after school activities, mentorship, self-esteem programs and most important, LOVE. They are located at 413 Washington Avenue (across from Central Elementary School).
