Reflecting on 2025: Transforming Lives and Opening Doors to Brighter Futures Across the Plateau

As we welcome the new year, we reflect on the unforgettable memories made in 2025 and the countless families and young people we were able to serve. None of this would have been possible without the compassion, generosity, and unwavering support of our community members and partners across the Plateau.

We began the year with tremendous honor as the Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) recognized Boys & Girls Club of the Plateau (BGCP) as one of the nation’s top-performing Clubs. Out of more than 5,200 Clubs nationwide, BGCP ranked among the top 20. In addition, our CEO, Carmen Waite, was invited to serve on the President’s Advisory Council for BGCA. This recognition elevated the Club’s visibility and provided BGCP the opportunity to help shape the future of Clubs across the country.

This Summer saw incredible growth as BGCP expanded its summer program to include not only its Main Cashiers campus but also added summer camps in Highlands and the newly opened Teen Club, doubling camp participants.  Thanks to continued community support, BGCP was able to offer Summer Camp free of charge, creating a meaningful impact for both youth and their parents, who provide essential services for the community.  We are deeply grateful to the many local country clubs, nonprofit partners, and organizations that helped create a summer filled with joy, curiosity, and new adventures.  Hiking, swimming, cooking, gardening, building, crafting, creating, reading, writing, drawing, performing, and exploring were just some of the activities community youth enjoyed thanks to community partners that included The Bascom, The Highlands Biological Center, Carpe Diem Farms, The Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust, The Hudson Library, The Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library, Friends of Lake Glenville, Glenville-Cashiers Rescue, Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society, Highlands-Cashiers Hospital, Passion Performance Auto, Western Carolina University, The Rec Center, The Village Green, Friends of Panthertown, Leadership Cashiers, Vision Cashiers, Highlands-Cashiers Health Foundation, Cashiers and Highlands Recreation Centers and many others. Your time, care, and creativity gave our members memories they will carry for a lifetime.

One of the most exciting milestones of the year was the grand opening of the Abell Teen Club, which provides a safe, supportive, and empowering environment where teens can thrive, while developing important leadership and career readiness skills that prepare the next generation of community leaders. Enrollment has already reached 120 teen members, which reflects the growing impact the Club is having on young people across the Plateau. Site director Max Watson captured the heart of this work. “Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote that the creation of a thousand forests is in an acorn. For a tree to grow tall, it must also grow deep. That is what we do here. We help young people grow deep roots,” he said.

Alex R. was named BGCP’s Youth of the Year and represented the Club at the State Competition. Alex first walked through the doors of BGCP as a kindergartner in 2014. “The first day I went to the Boys & Girls Club was when I was in kindergarten; that day changed my life for the better. I have been there for 11 years, and over that time, I have learned valuable life lessons and how to become a better person for my future. The lessons I have learned at the Boys & Girls Club will stick with me for the rest of my life,” he said. Alex was selected for this honor because of his leadership, character, and commitment to his community. He is a shining example of what young people can achieve when they are surrounded by support, mentorship, and opportunity.

The Read to Learn program celebrated its very first graduating class, with 70% of participating students achieving graduation. This is a remarkable accomplishment, reflecting the program’s success in supporting students with significant reading challenges and helping them progress from reading well below grade level to reading at or above grade level. These pivotal early years are critical, as children transition from learning to read to using reading as a skill essential for learning across subjects. The program focuses on early literacy, serving first through third graders who need extra support in building foundational reading skills. We extend heartfelt thanks to the dedicated volunteers whose one-on-one work with students ensures that every child has the tools they need to succeed. Eleanor Welling, a veteran tutor and former board member, shared her experience: “When I started with my student, he was constantly fearful of making a mistake while reading or answering a question. You wouldn’t recognize that boy today. He has grown tremendously in both confidence and proficiency. He is so proud of his achievements, and this thrills me. I rank my participation in the Read to Learn program as the highlight of my many years of volunteer work. It is making a life-changing difference in the lives of our young participants.”

We also watched with admiration as John “The Rocket Man” Godbold, a NASA engineer who traded rockets for hiking boots, embarked on a two-month, 500-mile journey along the Camino Francés in Spain. His trek raised nearly $35,000 for the Club’s STEM program and inspired everyone following his progress. “The kids’ messages pushed me through the tough days,” John said. “Every mile meant more resources for the Club and more chances to show them how fun science and math can be.” The funds supported rocketry, circuitry, programming, and robotics at BGCP. STEM and Read to Learn are just two of the programs made possible by our incredible volunteers.

These highlights are only a small part of the many meaningful moments that filled 2025 and warmed our hearts. It would be impossible to capture every special day, every encouraging word, and every triumph, both big and small, that made this year unforgettable. Nearly 625 young people walk through our doors and are greeted with smiles, encouragement, mentorship, and a safe place where they can be fully themselves. They know they belong, and they know they are believed in.

This is possible because of the dedication of our 64 volunteers, our 50 passionate staff members, and the incredible generosity of our community partners, neighbors, and donors. CEO Carmen Waite said, “For all the parents, supporters, community partners, volunteers, and Club staff, we are so grateful to you. We would not be here today without your generous support.” We are profoundly thankful for every person who stands beside us. Your belief in our mission ensures that every child and every family we serve knows they have a place where they are supported and where they truly matter.

What an extraordinary year 2025 has been. Thank you for making it so meaningful. We look forward to all that 2026 will bring and the chance to continue this meaningful work, bringing hope and opportunity to even more children and members across the Plateau.