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Courtesy Robert Eads,

“Mañana” deemed bad word at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Laredo

Laredo, Texas – Recently, through the leadership of the Board of Directors, and headed up by CEO Robert Eads, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Laredo team has embarked on a transformational journey that will bring positive, lasting changes to the entire Laredo club system. From the inside out, the Boys and Girls Clubs are being improved, remodeled, and reimagined to meet the needs and demands of girls and boys in Laredo and Webb County today, and tomorrow. Recent key improvements to the three facilities, along with increased diversity of club programming with an increased educational focus, and an increased staff-level reengagement and buy-in has brought the motions of change to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Laredo.

“This is only the beginning. We have a lot to do and a long way to go, but step one was the hardest step. We are charging ahead, nonstop to provide a better experience for our kids, our kids’ families, and our employee family as well,” said Boys and Girls Club of Laredo CEO Robert Eads.

“It begins with our staff, our facilities and our motivation to do great things for our kids, and do them now. “Mañana” is a bad word here at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Laredo. Everyone here works with a positive sense of urgency – and that energy is contagious to our members, our visitors and hopefully our benefactors. At a staff level, every member of our team matters, and their ideas matter the most. I take an active approach to maintain constant employee engagement and challenge all of our staff to take charge and own their space, own their piece of the clubs – and they do,” Eads said.

“We are also truly blessed to have a dedicated and motivated Board of Directors that helps fuel our fire as a team. And because of this high energy and motivation, our kids will win big time,” said Board President Andrew Carranco.

Thanks to generous donors, local, state, and national grants, and budgeted funds through fundraising activities and membership revenues, the process in reinvesting is ongoing. The mandate at all levels is to reinvest in our clubs, reinvest in our programs, reinvest in our kids. Our commitment is firm, our commitment is clear, and our commitment is never-ending.

Some key improvements that have start and been completed recently are the new basketball goals and backboards with an electronic function to raise and lower goals for play at all levels at the Benavides Club. All new volleyball equipment, wall padding, and new gym lighting have also been recently completed at the Benavides Club. Soon to begin is the full construction/reconstruction of the girls’/women’s’/family restrooms. And in the very near future, it is expected that the indoor swimming pool will be refurbished/remodeled, pending a committed funding source that is actively being sought after. A historic swimming pool with incredible value to our girls and boys of Laredo.

At the Northwest Club, a total reconstruction of the boys’ and girls’ bathrooms is soon to begin next month with all new plumbing and drainage, along with a new basketball goals and backboards, with electronic abilities, and a sport court for the basketball gym floor. In addition, new and additional bleachers will be installed, along with a new spacious entryway, new gym lighting and a new sound dampening system as well.

At the Lamar Bruni Vergara Club, remodeling of the outside of the building will occur, in addition to the remodeling of key indoor recreation area improvements. The swimming pool, backyard area is currently under review and assessment.

“This is an aggressive, but doable short-term project list that the Board of Directors and staff of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Laredo can work to complete and deliver on. With the right motivation, matched up with the right funding source, all things are possible. We are here to make that this happens for the girls and boys of our community.” Soon, more short-term and long-term projects will be planned and prioritized by the Board of Directors and staff at upcoming strategic planning sessions and budget meetings.

And most recently, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Laredo purchased a 12-passenger van to help transport our members to fun outings, educational adventures, and exciting sporting events. Coming at a great time right before our summer program, this investment will allow the Boys and Girls Clubs of Laredo to provide and even wider array of summer programming, while being safe and comfortable.

The Boys and Girls Club of Laredo currently operate three facilities in the Laredo, Texas area: The Benavides Club at 500 Moctezuma Street, The Northwest Club 4500 Santa Maria Avenue, and the Lamar Bruni Vergara Club at 3900 Los Presidentes Drive.

The Boys & Girls Club of Laredo hopes to provide a safe place for children to learn and grow, to provide ongoing relationships with caring adult professionals and life-enhancing programs and character development experiences, as well as hope and opportunity for the children in our community.