Last Monday's speaker was Torri Smith, CEO of the Boys and Girls Club Mississippi Valley.

The Boys and Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Valley provide a fun, safe and constructive environment for kids and teens during out-of-school hours, including summer and after school. Community-based and led by professional staff, Clubs serve small towns, large metropolitan areas, public housing communities, and Native populations, as well as those who live on U.S. military installations worldwide. They offer programs and services to help young people succeed in school, develop leadership skills, and maintain healthy lifestyles.

For parents, the Club is a support system you can count on — providing mentors, meals and meaningful life experiences for youth ages 6-18 after school and during the summer. We call that a win-win.

Safety Is Our No. 1 Priority. Safety is foundational to a child’s well-being and success. Layers of safety policies and guidelines ensure that Clubs across the country do our No. 1 job: keep kids safe.

Boys & Girls Clubs of America is committed to changing lives. By measuring how much Club kids and teens are achieving, we can determine how effectively the Club experience is helping America’s youth build great futures.

The Boys and Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Valley is committed to serving our youth, and with leadership provided by good people like Torri Smith, the Boys and Girls Club will continue to thrive.

Find out how you can learn more, volunteer, or donate to this worthwhile organization.