Beteck: Boys & Girls Club at Truitt Community Center has seen great success, but we can’t stop there

As a Salisbury native and the Club Director at the Boys & Girls Club at Truitt Community Center, I’ve seen firsthand the impact that Boys & Girls Clubs have on the lives of our youth. For many families in our community, our organization represents a safe place where young people can find the support and opportunities they need to succeed. We offer more than just after-school care – we offer hope, mentorship, and a sense of belonging.

When I think about the challenges our children face, it’s clear that Boys & Girls Clubs are more important than ever. The pressures our youth experience is significant, from academic stress to the distractions of social media, and for many, a lack of stable support systems at home. Here in Salisbury, where many families face economic hardships, our Clubs fill the gap, providing a nurturing environment where kids can learn, grow, and thrive in afterschool programs and activities. We have seen tremendous initial success since we opened our doors in 2022, so much so that we found ourselves at capacity very quickly. With a recent 3,900-foot expansion made possible in part by the City of Salisbury, we’re now able to triple our size and serve more kids and teens in the critical afterschool hours. More space allows us to open our doors to more kids and deepen our impact in the surrounding community.

The need for a safe place for our children was never more evident than earlier this year, right here in Salisbury. Ty Colbert was a Truitt Club member and a resident of the neighborhood. On an August night, a random act of violence tragically ended Ty’s life and once again reminded us of the need for programs like ours, providing a painful example of why we need to do more. I’m honored to have known Ty and he truly loved taking part in all the activities our club at Truitt had to offer. Losing Ty was extremely difficult for our members, and he will not be forgotten. To that end, we recently honored him with a special dedication of a mural at Truitt, as well as a plaque in his memory. He will live forever in our hearts.

Boys & Girls Clubs are not just about offering a safe place – they are about empowering the next generation. At the Truitt Street Boys & Girls Club, we offer a variety of programs designed to help young people develop their skills, whether in the arts, STEM, athletics, or leadership. Youth learn the importance of discipline, hard work, and community, all while building lifelong friendships and developing the confidence they need to tackle life’s challenges.

Perhaps most importantly, Boys & Girls Clubs are often a lifeline for parents who need a safe, reliable place for their children while they work. Many working families don’t have the luxury of a family member to step in and help with after-school care. The Clubs provide a structured environment where kids are not just supervised, but actively engaged in enriching experiences that keep them on a positive path.

There are so many children that need the help of Boys & Girls Club programs, and we need to come together as a community with high standards, programs, and reliable mentors - that are there every day – to continue to make a difference and provide facilities like Truitt throughout our region. The statistics bear this out: since the opening of our club in Cambridge, there has been a 32% drop in juvenile crime in the area adjacent to the Club. This is the effect of positive, safe places for kids and teens.

As Truitt’s director, it’s deeply rewarding to watch children transform over the years – from shy, uncertain individuals to confident young people ready to take on the world. We know our clubs will produce some of Salisbury’s brightest future leaders. Our experience has taught us that the impact of this work goes beyond the individual. When our youth succeed, the entire community benefits. I grew up here – in this neighborhood – and I can see this transformation every day.

But we can’t do this work alone. It’s crucial for all of us in Salisbury – businesses, parents, and community leaders – to invest in our youth. The more we support our Boys & Girls Clubs, the stronger our future will be.

As we look toward the future, I remain hopeful that Salisbury will continue to prioritize the needs of our children. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Salisbury are committed to nurturing our youth into confident, resilient, and compassionate adults. But we need the community’s support to make this vision a reality and provide more opportunities and more facilities. It’s time to stand up for our kids, and together, we can build a brighter future for them and for Salisbury.

Enaka Beteck
Club Director, Boys & Girls Club at Truitt Community Center, Salisbury