CAIRO- The Jackie Robinson Boys and Girls Club has paved the way for youth since its inception, providing children with endless opportunities and outlets to express themselves. However, the club has now found itself at a crossroad, having outgrown their current space. 

During the recent Diamond Affair, JRBGC Executive Director Stephen Francis, announced the club has launched a capital campaign to begin constructing a new youth building, allowing for the club to expand and begin accepting children once again. 

The JRBGC purchased a building and land at the corner of 2nd Ave. NE and 3rd St. NE back in 2023 to begin the expansion, but the funding fell through, requiring Francis to put the plans on hold, much to his dismay. 

“It saddens to me to not be able to say ‘Hey come and join the Boys and Girls Club,’ because there’s no more room,” Francis said. 

Currently, the JRBGC sits at capacity with approximately 150 kids, but Francis acknowledged the need to serve more. 

“Even though we serve 150 kids, there are still so many out there to be served, but we just don’t have the space,” he said. 

If funded, the newly purchased building would house a youth center, an indoor basketball court, and a recreational space. 

“We want this building to be a beacon of hope,” Francis said. “We want people to put their child here, so we can assist in helping that child develop in the way they are supposed to.” 

Cairo teen Kaylah Paytee has grown tremendously through the JRBGC and hopes the center comes to fruition so other children can have her experience. 

“It meant a lot to me because it showed me life isn’t just what people make it to be,” Paytee said. “You can go far in life. The Boys and Girls Club has taught me that there’s more things you can do than just sit around and go to the streets.” 

Paytee went on to say the Boys and Girls Club also helped her become a better person. 

“I learned a lot friendship-wise,” she said. “I learned how to bond with people and learned how to respect adults, especially the adults at the Boys and Girls Club.” 

Most of all, Paytee said the JRBGC showed her she could go further in life. 

“Cairo isn’t the last step,” she said. 

Francis agreed, saying that if the JRBGC can just provide kids a space, the sky is the limit for them. 

“They can grow and develop into what God has in store for them,” he said. “They already have it inside of them, we just have to nurture it, so it can fully bloom.” 

In order to expand and ensure kids have the nurturing environment necessary, the JRBGC needs to raise nearly $4.4 million. 

While it has been no easy feat, the Diamond Affair put a dent in the bucket last Friday night, auctioning off authentic Chipper Jones and Braves memorabilia, with all proceeds going directly toward the project. 

The auction items raised $9,300, while a raffle garnered $2,940 for the club. 

In total, the annual event raised $81,311 toward its goal for the new clubhouse. 

Francis shared a special thanks to the Grand Slam sponsors, including Grace Stallings, United National Bank, Zaxby’s, Richter & Co., Storm Services, Quail Ridge Family Practice, and Georgia State Representative Darlene Taylor. 

They have also received an $850,000 grant from the office of Sanford Bishop. 

“To date, we have raised nearly $1 million, and this week we received a generous $100,000 donation from an anonymous donor,” JRBGC Resource Development Chair Amy Hagan said. “This donor has also launched a challenge for others to match or exceed this donation.” 

Anyone interested in donating or matching the anonymous donor may contact Francis at 229-378-3099.