Forest Park council backs Boys & Girls Club after-school center at Whitten Woods

The Forest Park City Council on May 19 unanimously approved a resolution supporting the establishment of a Boys and Girls Club of Hamilton after‑school program at Whitten Woods.

The resolution, adopted 7-0, expresses the council's support for a partnership with the Boys and Girls Club and the Winton Woods City School District. Council member Dr. Moore moved adoption; the vote was recorded as yes from all seven members present.

Tommy John, CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Hamilton, presented the program to council and described the organization’s goals and planned operations at Whitten Woods. “Our mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as caring, productive, and responsible citizens,” John said. He emphasized that the club provides free programming: “None of our programs cost $1,” John said during the presentation.

Club director CJ Owensby, who will lead the Whitten Woods site, told council he plans to focus on teen leadership and mentorship. “I just have a great passion for mentoring youth, giving our youth leadership development opportunities,” Owensby said.

The club described operational details and initial capacity plans presented to council: the program will initially target seventh- and eighth‑graders, run after school from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., and operate a full‑day summer teen program from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. The club intends to staff to a safety ratio of about 1 staff member per 15 youth, and it expects to open with a target of 60–75 youth while growing by controlled increments from wait lists. The presentation said the site will be staffed by two full‑time employees plus additional youth‑development professionals hired as groups expand; the organization also expects a full‑time program director to support the site.

John said the program will offer academic support, mentorship, character development and meals, and the club is working with the district to address transportation and other barriers. He described partnerships and extracurricular opportunities, including Keystone student council participation and scholarship support: the presentation noted one club member had earned roughly $20,000 in scholarships and had a four‑year scholarship that covers expenses.

Public commenters and local coaches who spoke during the communications portion of the meeting echoed demand for more youth facilities and welcomed the club’s arrival. Several coaches urged the city to identify additional gym and field space for youth programs and to help coordinate long‑term funding and private partnerships.

Council and city staff said the program will be a collaborative effort. During discussion the council confirmed that start‑up funds will be a shared investment with the school district; a council member noted the shared investment amount discussed at the meeting was $75,000 from the city and $75,000 from the district. Tommy John said registration information for the school‑year program is expected to be distributed after the July Fourth holiday and that the in‑school presence will begin during the second week of the school year so staff and students can settle in.

The resolution supporting the Boys and Girls Club’s establishment does not itself appropriate ongoing operating funds; it formalizes the council’s support and encourages continued partnership with the Winton Woods City School District and private donors. Council members and presenters repeatedly emphasized that private and corporate fundraising, volunteer time and district collaboration will be needed to sustain and expand the program.

The council’s action followed the club’s roughly 30‑minute presentation and a related public comment period in which local coaches pressed the city on facility availability and volunteer and funding needs. The club’s leaders invited council members and community leaders to tour existing club locations and to participate in donor and volunteer outreach.

What’s next: the resolution establishes municipal support for the partnership; the club and district will proceed with registration and operational planning, and the council and manager’s office will continue to discuss funding and facility coordination.