Published: May 15, 2008 05:43 pm         

Changes in store for Boy's Club

The Cooke County Youth Center may be headed in a new direction. Officials with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Cooke County are looking to residents to help decide which way to go.

Former board president Ray Nichols said he hopes county residents will take the time to fill out a survey about CCYC programs.

“We want to determine a new vision for the youth center by enlisting thoughts and ideas from the community,” Nichols said.

The survey is available at the Boys and Girls clubs and is also available at the CCYC’s Web site at www.cookecobgc.com.

Nichols called the survey a “needs assessment” and said public input could influence considerations such as program funding.

He did not say what these future plans might be, but he hinted that changes could include additional teen services or increasing or decreasing the size of other programs.

The CCYC center provides recreation, homework assistance, sports opportunities and a safe place for area kids ages 6 to 18.

Nichols said he is a past board member and president of the CCYC. He said although he is no longer on the board, he did not loose interest in the center.

“I started thinking about this last year,” he said.

CCYC is important for several reasons, he said.

“The center teaches the kids to be better students and better citizens,” he said.

He said he hopes to make more people aware of what the center does and does not do.

Once he receives feedback from the surveys, Nichols said he plans to publish the information.

Focus groups will help decide what to do from there, he said.

Nichols said the surveys are anonymous.

“No names are required, and no one at the youth center will read the surveys,” he said.

Surveys completed online will go directly Nichols — a fact he said he hopes encourages honesty and candor in the respondents.

Surveys returned to the youth center should be placed in a sealed envelope.

The surveys can also be faxed in. (the fax number and e-mail address are listed below.)

The focus groups include residents from various backgrounds.

“There will be former and current board members, professionals, government officials, representatives from financial and industrial organizations and volunteers,” he said.

“Their input will make decisions and help determine allocation of dollars,” Nichols said.

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Cooke County serve about 3,000 students in the area including students at a Valley View CCYC center.

CCYC programs include the Bring Up Grades (B.U.G.) project, a large youth sports program, the Kids Cafe (a meal program for youth center clients) and educational and recreational activities.

Nichols said the group also plans to interview youth center clients.

Nichols said it is important to note that the groups are looking for input from all residents of Cooke County, not just citizens of Gainesville.

To take the CCYC survey go to www.cookecobgc.com. The form can be downloaded and printed or completed online. Downloaded forms may be returned in an envelope to the Cooke County Youth Center, e-mailed to Nichols at rnichols47@swbell.net or mailed to 1002 South Denton St., Gainesville, TX 76240.