The Ralph Wilson Youth Club mission states that the purpose of the organization is to provide an organized and supervised environment for local children to share social, educational, and recreational experiences.
Rowe said that Sammy Jones, Boys Club director, offered fatherly advice to Rowe as he was growing up, something Rowe did not have at home. “He took me under his wing,” said Rowe.
The mission statement also says that purpose of the club is to help children develop into self sufficient and responsible members of the community.
Now, Rowe, nicknamed T-Rowe by youth club staff members, is a senior at Tarleton State University and is studying criminal justice and business.
The Ralph Wilson Youth Club was originally named the Temple Boys Club when it was created in 1965. In 1977, the club allowed girls into the organization, but was ousted from national Boys Club membership because of this integration.
The club offers a summer and a school year program, where children ages five to 14 are eligible for participation.
During the school year, children are picked up from school and taken to the club, located on General Bruce Drive. Food, video games, basketball courts, an outdoor area, and a study area are available to the children.
When the kids arrive after school, said Executive Director Charlie Kimmey is nowhere to be found in his office. Kimmey and his staff are interacting with the children. With nearly 800 children enrolled in the school year program, it’s hard to remember all the names, but Kimmey says he does remember the nicknames he has given them. Some of the nicknames include Billy Ray, Grid, Nike, most of which were inspired by the T-shirt the child was wearing that day.
During the summer, children are offered various field trips, from fishing at Belton Lake to golfing at Putt-Putt or skating at Skate Haven. “Not a lot of them are able to go to Six Flags, Sea World,” Kimmey.
Kimmey says that the type of children that are apart of the club are mirrored in Temple Independent School District students. Over half the students within the local school district are on reduced or free lunch. During the summer, the school district delivers free breakfasts for the children.
“We don’t want to be about the haves and the have-nots,” said Kimmey.
Rowe said he looked forward to the fishing trips and lock-ins the club provided. Rowe also said his mother used those events as a reward for his good behavior during the week. “Of course, I was only good for that week.”
Club activities also try to include family time whenever possible. “It’s hard to find that good quality family time” said Kimmey. “When I was growing up we had supper every night.”
However, Kimmey, father of 2, says that he understands how hard it is to spend quality time with children.
During the school year, parents are invited to go Christmas caroling with their children or attend the annual Halloween Carnival.
During both terms, children are able to join sports leagues. The basketball league started on Saturday.
Kimmey says his favorite part of the job is watching the children grow up within the club, like Rowe. “He is one of our many success stories.”
Despite community donations, the Youth Club is still in need of monetary donations. “We see 2009 as a tight year,” said Kimmey.
However, Kimmey says that there is a cooperative spirit between The Ralph Wilson Youth Club and other United Way agencies. “We are all in this together.”
Kimmey says with the teamwork of the United Way agencies, the Temple community, and other local supporters, the Ralph Wilson Youth Club will continue its mission to develop responsible members of the community.
“We are not perfect, but we strive to be.”
