By Krystle J Bailey
As he settles into his new office inside of the Schultz Hill Foundation building on Pacific Avenue, Atlantic City Boys and Girls Club CEO Dr. Charles Wallace states with great confidence, “We want to be the best club in the world.”
“To do that, we have to make certain that our kids have dynamic, impactful, life-changing, transformative programming that will encourage them to be the best they can absolutely be,” he continues.
The Boys and Girls Club of Atlantic City has been serving the local community since the 1970s, offering more than 25 nationally tested and proven programs to tens of thousands of young people in the last five decades. Programs offered by BGCAC are created to promote and enhance youth development through access to education, leadership, workforce development, athletics, STEAM, and so much more.
Now, with three locations throughout the city, including the Pennsylvania Avenue Teen Center, BGCAC offers tracks that include opportunities for students to earn high school and college credits as well as necessary certifications to excel in the workforce, including ServSafe and EMT Certifications.
This summer, the Boys and Girls Club of Atlantic City served nearly 300 local kids as a part of the summer camp program. The BGCAC team is looking forward to a bustling fall, with over 300 local youth expected between the three locations as school heads back into session.
“Our kids are being exposed to math, technology, IT, and music,” explains Wallace. “Our goal is to expose them, present them, and position them in every possible place that’s going to be advantageous for their life.”
Originally from South Carolina, Dr. Charles Wallace brings over 20 years of experience in leadership to the organization. While he holds the academic credentials for the job of CEO, including a Doctor of Ministry from the Christian Life School in Theology and Certified Non-Profit Executive Director’s Certification from Yale University, it’s Wallace’s heart of service that inspires him to make BGCAC “the best club in the world.”
“I’ve been in the space of serving others for a very long time,” shares Dr. Wallace in an interview with Shore Local Newsmagazine. “It’s my calling, it’s my purpose, I love what I do! It’s all about the kids.”
In a press release announcing his new position, Wallace is quoted saying, “It is our duty and responsibility to serve them [the youth] relentlessly.”
As Dr. Charles Wallace looks forward to the upcoming school year and the changing of seasons, he is in the process of assembling “the best team in the world” for the job.
“We just changed our organizational structure to be a little more linear so we can come to the foundation and determine who we really are and who we’re going to be in this moment,” explains Wallace about the BGCAC team of directors. “We have dynamic people, and my goal is just to amplify them. As CEO, my job is to make sure that those who serve the people we serve are happy too.”
In anticipation of the new school year and the anticipated expansion of the club, the Boys and Girls Club of Atlantic City is hiring new teachers, youth development professionals, and program directors. All careers can be found on the BGCAC website.
There are countless ways to get involved and support BGCAC, including the upcoming Golf Fore Kids Fundraiser on September 28 at Seaview Golf Club. Information about the Boys and Girls Club of Atlantic City, how to get involved, available careers, and sponsorship opportunities can be found at acbgc.org.
