Member & Family Stories

There are amazing moments happening inside our Club and beyond each and every day, thanks to your support!

Your support for the Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton truly makes a difference in our community. Your generosity empowers not only the youth we serve, but gives peace of mind to their parents and families knowing they are in a safe, affordable place where they can learn and grow.

See how your support for the Club has an extraordinary impact on those we serve.

“I really thank the Boys &Girls Club of Bluffton. I don’t know where we’d be without them.”

We’re the Scotts and this is our story.

We wanted to share with you the story of the Scott family, whose lives you’ve directly helped thanks to your incredible support for the Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton. Please read how your support can make such a difference for families just like theirs.

When Antonio Scott joined the Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton staff, he never imagined the impact the Club would have on his family.

It was February 2020 when Antonio began his role as Facility Manager. Each day the Club was booming with hundreds of local children and teens, and Antonio knew from his first day that this job was a great fit for him. “I loved the energy of the Club,” Antonio says.

But just one month after he started, the global COVID-19 pandemic would force the Club to shut down. Antonio banded together with the rest of the staff to run the Club remotely until we were able to reopen in the fall.

During this time Antonio was separated from his son, Jaron, who was living in Florida with his mother. Jaron was struggling academically and in his home life, eventually dropping out of school during the 11th grade.

Teenage years can be among the most dangerous for young Black men. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, Black males are more likely to be held back, suspended or expelled from school than their peers, as well as less likely to have access to job opportunities and internships. They are also disproportionately represented in the juvenile justice system.

These negative outcomes are even more common when these young men are separated from their fathers.

Lacking direction and a positive male role model, Jaron decided to spend the summer of 2021 with his dad, Antonio, in Bluffton.

That summer Jaron participated in Bluffton Explorers’ L.E.A.D., the Club’s education and career development program designed to enhance the lives of teens by exposing them to careers in law enforcement, character-building, volunteer work and discipline through routine physical training. He even completed the program’s strict and regimented two-week summer boot camp from 5 a.m.-5 p.m., that included daily physical training, drill and ceremony practice, as well as class time lead by service-oriented volunteers from the Bluffton Police Department and U.S. Military.

At the conclusion of the Bluffton Explorers’ L.E.A.D program, Jaron attended the annual Day on the Water field trip hosted by America's Boating Club of Hilton Head, where members cruise through local waters to learn about the environment. “This was my first time on the water, on a boat and driving a boat,” Jaron says.

Upon completion of the program, Jaron became a Junior Staff member. He started helping with the facility, and gradually gained responsibilities such as maintenance, serving food to the members and organizing grocery donations from Second Helpings.

When summer ended, Jaron made the difficult decision to stay with his dad in Bluffton and continue working at the Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton, rather than returning to the home he shared with his mother and sister in Florida. But he wanted to do even more to further his education and earn skills for a future career.

With help from the Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton staff, Jaron enrolled in the General Educational Development (GED) Preparation Program through Bluffton Self Help. He has completed two semesters of the program and plans to take his final exam this summer.

“I feel like the Club has made me more confident,” says Jaron. “At first I didn’t want to do the GED program at all, but the staff helped pushed me. I’ve gotten really close to the staff.”

Jaron plans to pursue a career in 3D modeling and animation. In the meantime he is still working with his dad at the Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton, and working toward getting his driver’s license.

“I’m really proud of him,” says Antonio. “He’s so humble and willing to help anybody. He’s trying to be more independent and doesn’t want to disappoint anybody.”

While he’s had ups and downs throughout his journey, we are so proud of Jaron and all of his accomplishments, and look forward to seeing the great things he’ll do in his future. We are also so grateful to have his dad, Antonio, as a member of the Boys & Girls of Bluffton team.

“I really thank the Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton,” says Antonio. “This Club sure made me a better person and a better father. Most jobs don’t do that. Here, family comes first.”

While the Scotts’ story may sound unique, many of our Club families face similar struggles, and need the Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton as part of their support system. Far too many young people fall through the cracks of our education system, and without help, many of these children and teens are at risk.

But you can make a life-changing difference.

Your gift can be the step toward a brighter future for Club families like the Scotts. There are so many families right here in Bluffton who need your help. Please consider making a donation to support the Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton so we can continue to make sure every child has a safe place to learn and grow.

We can’t do this without you, Thank you for your giving spirit.

The Scotts
Bluffton Club Family

When we needed you most, you were there.

We’re the Fripps and this is our story.

Each year the Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton partners with Family Promise of Beaufort County to provide afterschool and summer care for homeless children and teens. The Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton provides a safe place for these young people and gives them a support system when they need it most, thanks to your support. Meet just one family your gifts have touched.

“You don’t know me, but you changed my life.

My name is Tanisha and my kids and I joined Family Promise of Beaufort County last year when we were going through a tough time and had no place else to go.

For years I was trapped in an abusive relationship with my children’s father. He was a heavy drinker and got into drugs. He cut me off from my friends and family, and became more and more violent.

I finally had enough. We had to get out.

It got so bad that a SWAT team had to come and rescue me and my children. We moved to Texas and was raising five kids all by myself. I worked nights and side jobs to provide for us.

During this time my twin boys started skipping school and getting into trouble, so we moved back to Beaufort County to live with family members where we found ourselves in yet another abusive environment that we had to get out of.

With no place left to go, we were homeless.

That’s when we joined Family Promise, and they told me four of my kids could attend the Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton at no cost while I got back on my feet.

(My oldest daughter is 20, but if she was young enough, trust me, she’d belong to the Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton, too!)

When my kids first started coming to the Club, they were all very shy and angry. Slowly they started to warm up and come out of their shells, and I started to see a big difference in each of them. It was harder and harder to get them to leave the Club each day! It relieved a lot of stress knowing my children were in a safe and fun place while I was at work.

When December came around, I began to stress about the holidays.

I thought to myself, What’s going to happen this year? How am I going to do this?

Thankfully, the Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton and donors like you stepped in.

My kids and I got to celebrate the holidays with our Club family, and they even made sure we received gifts. It was amazing! The struggle isn’t so hard when you have somebody helping you out—giving you a helping hand when times are tough.

You are a blessing to people that really don’t have much, because at that point in time we had nothing, and your support for the Club that gave my kids a place to go helped out a whole lot. When we needed you most, you were there. Thank you for that.

It brings a smile to my kids’ faces when they see, ‘Oh my goodness, somebody really does care about us!’ It’s just great and I really appreciate you for caring enough to make sure our community has a place like the Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton.

More than a year later, my kids still love coming to the Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton. I know they are in great hands and I see what the Club is doing for them every day. The Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton has become a part of our family.

Thank you for continuing to support the Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton.

There are many families out there just like mine who rely on the Club. It’s really helpful to the parents to know they have a safe place for their kids to go while they are at work.

I wish the very best to you and your family this holiday season!”

Tanisha Fripp
Bluffton Club Parent

Watch the video above to learn more about the Fripp family, our partnership with Family Promise of Beaufort County and our support from the Berkeley Hall Charitable Foundation.

Meet Tanisha’s Amazing Kids!

Ready For a Great Summer!

I’m Mercedes and this is my story.

As a member of the Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton, Mercedes spent her summers in a safe and caring environment for years. In her teens, Mercedes decided not to attend the Boys & Girls Club for the summer.

Here’s how her decision nearly took Mercedes down the wrong path, and how she found her way back home to her Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton.

“Ready for a Great Summer! That’s exactly how I felt a couple of summers ago when I started hanging out with what I thought were going to be some great new friends.

Soon I found myself starting to go to parties and places that I’d only heard about, and have to say wasn’t sure this is what I should be doing. That’s when I began to worry I might be getting in over my head running with this group. I had now realized some of them were using drugs – and some of those were hardcore drugs.

That’s also about the same time I realized the big difference between this summer and my previous summers – was that I had gone to the Boys and Girls Club of Bluffton all my summers before this one – actually, since I was eight.

“Now I was starting to get a little scared. I knew I didn’t want to go down this path. That’s when I called some friends at the Boys and Girls Club of Bluffton.”

I knew I could trust them and told them I needed some help asking them to talk to the leaders at the club. These adults had always been there for me and I knew in my heart they would be there for me now too. And they were.

They came and got me, sat me down and talked to me and welcomed me back into the club where I knew I was always safe. Looking back, I’m not going to say it was an easy call to make, but it’s the one that kept me from going down a path I knew I did not want to go down. One that I knew it would have changed my life forever since I had already seen firsthand what drugs could do to people, and knew that wasn’t for me. No way was I going to ruin my dream and all I had worked so hard for.

Fast forward to today. I just finished my freshman year at the College of Charleston where I’m a pre-med student and will be the first to tell you that where I am today has everything to do with the Boys and Girls Club of Bluffton. What I learned there and the relationships I built along the way have made a huge difference in my life.

“I’m proud of who I am, and proud to be a product of the Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton.”

Thank you joining me on my journey, and for supporting my Boys & Girls Club which has made such an impact in my life. There are hundreds of Bluffton kids just like me who need your support now more than ever.

Please consider making a gift that will make all the difference for child who needs the Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton to find their way back home.”

Mercedes Housey
Bluffton Club Alumna
2009-2018

I don’t know what I would do without the Boys & Girls Club.

We’re the Codys and this is our story.

As a single mother, Jessica Cody was searching for a safe, reliable and trustworthy place for after school care for her twins, Naomi and Nate. A co-worker suggested she reach to the Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton.

Here’s how the Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton is part of the village Jessica needs to support her children.

”My kids love all of the activities provided for them by the Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton. They also love the friends that they have made that attend other local schools.

I love that the club has discipline as structure. Along with providing a safe place for my children after school they are required to complete their homework and are constantly required to be respectful and mindful of their manner towards all staff members. I also love the family atmosphere. It’s not just after school care you are truly made to feel like family. My children are attached personally to many of the staff members.

“It truly takes a village and the Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton is a major contributor to many families’ villages.”

I always speak very highly of the Boys and Girls Club of bluffton and all the staff. Ms. Molly is amazing and leads her team to always do the right thing to instill great values into our children.

To all the donors that help support the Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton, thank you! Being a full time employee and a full time mom I don’t know what I would do without the Boys & Girls Club. It truly takes a village and the Boys &Girls Club of Bluffton is a major contributor to many families’ villages.”

From Great Loss. To Great Gain.

We’re the Aikens and this is our story.

Nancy Aiken lost her husband when he was just 34, leaving behind two young boys for her to raise as a single, fulltime working mom.

Here’s how the Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton helped her family when they needed it most.

“I’m sharing our story with you to let you all know how grateful I am that there is a place like the Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton – and that your generosity is what makes stories like ours possible.

After my boys lost their father when they were 5 and 2, it wasn’t long before I realized I was going to need a lot more help than I thought. Now, as a single, fulltime working mom not only did I need to make sure my boys had strong male role models in their lives, but that they had a place to go after school where they could just be boys growing, learning, exploring boys.

That’s when I found the Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton and quickly realized this was the village I needed to help me love, support and guide them. From Club sports for Dante, who is the athlete in our family to nurturing my younger son Dominic’s love of art and a reading program that helped him get back on his grade level, the programs here have been truly amazing.

“It’s because great things happen here every day – the kind most people don’t even see, but as parents we sure do.”

This Club means the world to us, my boys absolutely love it here, and I still can’t believe how much the Club has to offer. I now understand why I see all those smiling faces every day when I come to pick up my boys. It’s because great things happen here every day – the kind most people don’t even see, but as parents we sure do. Today we have the Club to thank for so much in our lives and want every one that supports this incredible place, and its staff, to know that you have truly changed our lives. You were there for us when we needed you most. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!

And now, I am asking you to please continue your support of this amazing organization, their staff and volunteers knowing that every child that enters these doors is being loved, nurtured and guided in ways that will positively shape their lives forever. And, you are responsible for making all this possible. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for what you have done for my boys and me.”