By: Juli Metzger, past president and board member—
Muncie, IN—Jason Newman, recently named Chief Executive Officer of the Boys & Girls Club of Muncie, brings more than 10 years of Club experience and more than 20 years in early childhood education and programming experience.
Newman assumes the post in early October.
Newman most recently was Program Director for the Boys & Girls Club of Philadelphia, Bridesburg Unit, where it was his job to oversee programming areas in academic success, healthy living, sports and nutrition, the arts and character and leadership skills. In that role, he assisted in campaign fundraising, and was tasked with training all staff for 13 Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia.
“We are delighted to have Jason on our growing team,” said James Mitchell, Chairman of the Board for Boys & Girls Club of Muncie. “He brings a depth and breadth of experience that aligns with our mission in Muncie to reach more children more often.”
The Boys & Girls Club of Muncie has doubled its average daily attendance by partnering with Muncie Community Schools and the Buley Center this year. The Club has expanded its nationally ranked programming to elementary children at the Buley Center, at East Washington Academy and to middle school children at Southside Middle School. The South Madison Street location is now dedicated to specific programming for high school teen-agers – from academic tutoring to character development to one-on-one life coaching.
“We’ve been laser focused for the last few years to expand programming across the city,” said Mitchell. The Muncie location is the only Boys & Girls Club in a six county area.
Newman said he’s anxious to get started in Muncie.
“I am looking forward to working with everybody in Muncie to help enable all our young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens,” Newman said.
Expect to see more collaboration with non-profits across the city if it means serving more children in more locations, Mitchell said. The Summer AIM program serves 500 children over the summer months. It is collaboration with the Buley Center, Ross Community Center, Motivate Our Minds and YMCA. The program uses BGCA programming like the summer brain drain to keep kids engaged and on track so when school starts back they hit the ground running academically. It’s easy for students to lose ground but BGCM programming keeps them on track and there are plenty of chances for relaxation and recreation, too.
The Boys & Girls Club of Muncie also partners with Project Leadership and area non-profits to offer the ICE League – an Inner City Education basketball league that emphasizes academics over athletics.
