On October 22, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area (BGCAA) held a ribbon-cutting to open the inaugural University of Texas Elementary Boys & Girls Club on National Lights On Afterschool Day. This celebration marks more opportunities for 180 Club kids to build meaningful relationships and discover their potential. Supported by the voter-approved Raising Travis County initiative, Light On Afterschool celebrates and acknowledges all the components that go into organizing out-of-school programs. As one of four new Raising Travis County-funded Clubs opening this fall, we will be collectively reaching more than 500 additional students. At UT Elementary School, young people will have more access to academic support, health and wellness activities, leadership development, and opportunities to explore interests that lead to future careers.
Local officials, community partners, families, and Club members filled the cafeteria for the celebration. Paul Turner, Director of Strategic Partnership and former Club kid, understands how important this new space is for youth. Turner spoke about the role programs like this one play in helping young people thrive.
After the opening introductions, UT Elementary Principal Dr. Lara Wilder explained how Boys & Girls Clubs complement the school’s commitment to student development. By extending learning beyond the school day, this partnership gives students more opportunities to strengthen academic skills, build meaningful relationships, and explore new interests in a supportive environment. This celebration reflects what schools and community organizations can achieve together to create more opportunities for young people.
Our CEO, Zenae Campbell, added that investments in Clubs give all participating young people the chance to learn about their full potential. We create third spaces where young people can grow and learn about themselves in a supportive environment. She invited our six Club Ambassadors onto the stage to share personal testimonies about how Club has given them a place to play and make friends.
This reflects BGCAA’s commitment to creating pathways for success and ensuring more Club kids have the encouragement they need to build great futures. Through this partnership with Raising Travis County and UT Elementary School, we can help make this investment possible.
“My favorite thing about the Boys & Girls Club is that the leaders always provide care, and I get to hang out with my friends.”
Special guest Travis County Judge Andy Brown shared a few words about this amazing celebration. Judge Brown highlighted the access that programs like Clubs provide to local youth. This investment in our Club kids gives them the best chance of a great life. Out-of-school time is essential to developing young people’s social and emotional skills alongside their classroom learning. With a supportive place to learn, grow, and connect, Club Kids are building the confidence and skills to succeed in school and pursue great futures.
“One of the reasons why we wanted to invest in this as Travis County, is we know that when we give parents the option of going back to work — knowing that their kids are getting either preschool or out-of-school time, which the Boys & Girls Clubs is providing — then our economy thrives. That’s why one of the big reasons we invested, not just to provide great things for kids to do, but to help parents thrive as well.”
As a community, we are building a foundation for student success. We cut the ribbon, but the real opening happens every afternoon. When the last bell rings at UT Elementary, 180 kids will walk into a place that’s theirs: friends, homework help, and an adult who knows their name. Every new Club strengthens our Austin community by giving Club kids more opportunities to discover their strengths and build great futures.
