JAVA WITH JOE: COFFEE & CONVERSATION WITH

Judge Larry & Tracy McMillan Jeff & Kristi Truitt Reid Poland, Lisa McClain, Kristi & Jeff Truitt

Jennifer Ware & D’Vontay Banks John & Sam Holt

Lisa Klasen, Meagan Nay & Lucy Townsend Story & Photography by Tony Centonze ServPro once again raised the bar for the monthly Business After Hours event, as Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce members returned to the cleaning and restoration company’s Ashland City Road facility for an afternoon of networking, socializing, and fun.

This year’s event drew more than 150 guests and featured a DJ, catering by PSR Events and Stephen Cross, a photo booth, and casino games provided by Clarksville Casino Parties.

Melinda Shepard & Stephanie Travis Rachel PIech, Tracy McMillan & Kayla Jackson Rebecca Crow Reid Poland & Terri Wilson

Mia Lindsey & Candace Wilson Alexis Goines & Shannon Kitchen Cathy Rusell & Sam Mallory

Julie Runyon & Jeff Bryant Fran & Anthony Cox Glynnis & Tim Warren Deanna McLaughlin & Chris Buerck

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VOTED BEST CAR WASH IN CLARKSVILLE!

Mayor Joe Pitts & April Consulo Curtis Scott Trudy Stafford & Jodi Griffey

Java with Joe

Coffee & Conversation with Mayor Joe Pitts

Story & Photography by Tony Centonze April Consulo of Office Now recently organized Java with Joe: Coffee and Conversation with Mayor Joe Pitts. About three dozen people came out for pastries, beverages, and a 60-minute question and answer session with the Mayor.

Consulo emceed the discussion. She began with questions that had been submitted to her by attendees. She then opened the floor for additional queries. Mayor Pitts deftly provided informed answers on an array of subjects, and encouraged audience members to follow up with various departments in city government. He provided contact information and offered to personally follow up on some of the issues that were presented.

Adam Voydik C.C. Wheeler & Petra Roush

JImmy Wiesner & Paul Rhodes Jenni Surra & Elizabeth Holt John Crespo & Karen Richards

John Crespo & Paul Rhodes Jolie Frederick & Martine Basden

April Consulo Erin & Eric Yow C.C. Wheeler & Deborah Johnson

Vince Surra & Willie James

GIVE | CARE | SHARE CLARKSVILLE IS SET TO BECOME HOME TO THE 5,000th BOYS & GIRLS CLUB IN THE NATION!

The Boys & Girls Clubs of America was founded on the idea that every child deserves a great future, which is why it’s a shock that Clarksville isn’t home to its own Club yet. However, a group of dedicated committee members are working to ensure that by the end of 2022, the doors have opened on the Boy & Girls Club of Clarksville-Montgomery County.

Born from a Leadership Clarksville Class of 2020 study group project, the new Club found its inspiration in the form of a question posed by Montgomery County General Sessions Judge Ken Goble. He asked for the group to strategize and develop interventions that would keep children from entering the juvenile justice system.

After some research and a handful of interviews, the committee landed on a solution: opening a Boys & Girls Club locally. According to stats from the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, 76% of low-income Club members ages 12 to 18 who attend the Club regularly reported receiving mostly A’s and B’s, compared to 67% of their peers nationally. Additionally, 52% of 12th grade Club members express an interest in a STEM career, compared with 27% of 12th graders nationally.

Academic success — along with the encouragement of healthy lifestyles, building good character, and citizenship — are just a handful of the benefits youth receive when they become a member of a Boys & Girls Club. But how is this accomplished?

Mentors and Club staff are equipped with the skills to positively impact youth members the moment they enter the door. Through participation in fun and engaging programs, youth develop meaningful relationships with staff, which in turn cultivates important skills, such as making new friends and developing their talents. This is widely referred to as the Club Experience.

The Club Experience consists of five key elements. The first element — a safe and positive environment — sets the foundation for life changing youth development work. If children feel safe and positively encouraged, they’re primed for being invested in their own success. The next key element is providing fun and a sense of belonging, which keeps youth engaged. The last three elements – supportive relationships, opportunities and expectations, and recognition – help transform time spent at the Club into experiences that enable these kids to reach their full potentials as productive, caring, and responsible citizens.

“The Boys and Girls Club provides something that every child needs, a safe and fun place for our children to go. The organization has also made a commitment to provide life-enhancing programs and caring mentors for kids. We become a better community by building up children who can reach their potential. This is a club that has endured the test of time with its roots dating back to 1860. I’m looking forward to seeing the positive impact this club can have on our community for generations to come,” Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett said.

“There are a few projects that come along in the life of a community that are so impactful and life changing, not only for those participating but for their families and the entire community. The Boys and Girls Club of Clarksville-Montgomery County is the latest example. A group of citizens began discussing the idea several years ago, put in the work to evaluate need, and created a plan to make it happen,” Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts added.

“We are now the beneficiaries of their excellent work, and the Boys and Girls Club of Clarksville-Montgomery County will come to life in August of this year. That’s another reason we love this community,” Pitts continued.

And it should be said that the part of the community for which the club is planned — New Providence — has been at a disadvantage for years. According to 2019 data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the New Providence area has a median household income that’s 40% less than the city-wide median. This goes on to negatively affect the children who call New Providence home, who might not have access to the same resources that children in St. Bethlehem or Sango might have.

As of right now, a local church is providing a building for the Club that includes a gymnasium, classrooms, and program areas. This gives the Club enough space to start off with 100 spots for membership in its first years, but then grow from there. The Club’s plan is to eventually purchase land to build a standalone Boys & Girls Club for grades K-12 in the near future.

If the local chapter meets its fundraising goal of $600,000 — which would support one year of operating costs as well as secure furnishings for the Club — Clarksville will become home to the 5,000th Boys & Girls Club to open nationally. And while so much has been raised already in support of opening, including the funds raised at VIP Clarksville’s Black Tie Ball, just under 20% of the funding goal has been pledged. So, there’s quite a way to go. But based on the positive outcomes, it’s so worth it. The Club fee for youth members is $20 per year, per child. However, no child is turned away because of an inability to provide the $20.

A donation to the Club is an investment in the future of ClarksvilleMontgomery County’s youth.