Florence, South Carolina – Boys & Girls Clubs in the Pee Dee region have been recognized nationally for their ongoing efforts to speak up for young people and the programs that help them.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of America recently gave the organization the Advocate of Youth award for its ongoing work to improve opportunities for young people in South Carolina.
Leaders of the Pee Dee Area Clubs claim that advocating is a natural part of their job. Staff and board members work all year long to bring attention to the needs of children who depend on secure, organized after-school settings by working with elected officials and community partners.
Read also: Community groups invited to march in Florence Black History Month parade on February 21
The goal of these activities is to make sure that young people have access to tools that will help them do better in school, make friends, and get jobs.
A lot of the work they did last year was to protect funds for the federal 21st Century Community Learning Centers program. The organization pushed for continuous support for the money that comes into the state and helps keep three local club sites open through coordinated phone calls, emails, and meetings that were set up by a national action alert. Leaders say this money remains very important for keeping the doors open for families who need inexpensive after-school care.
Read also: Small business owners invited to resource and networking event in Florence in late February
The clubs also stayed involved in the South Carolina State Alliance, where they were honored for their activism and leadership. The alliance chose Patricia Singleton Parr, the organization’s immediate past board chair, as its 2025 Board Member of the Year. This shows how important it is for local leaders to push for policies and awareness that help young people.
Along with reaching out to lawmakers through legislation, state and local lawmakers were also asked to visit club locations and events to see firsthand how the programming works and what effect it has. Staff also started to build new connections, such as talking to the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce and corporate partners about possible collaborations related to getting people ready for work.
Read also: Florence 1 Schools calls on local groups to help shape staff volunteer program
National organizers indicate that the Club Advocacy Engagement Recognition Program honors groups that show originality, innovation, and demonstrable results through advocacy.
Local leaders stress that speaking up for young people is not just a one-time event or campaign; it is a continuous commitment to make sure that young people are a priority at all levels.
For more than 60 years, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Pee Dee Area have helped kids and teens aged 6 to 18. Today, more than 1,000 young people visit eight club sites in Florence, Hartsville, Hemingway, Johnsonville, Lake City, Pamplico, and Timmonsville every day.
