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Boys & Girls Club tells Oxford commissioners it supports workforce stability, seeks continued community investment
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Summary
Theresa Puryear, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central North Carolina, told Oxford commissioners the club acts as workforce infrastructure by providing consistent out‑of‑school care, academic programming, and meals; she described enrollment, attendance, and program costs and said community investment covers much of the annual per‑child cost.
Theresa Puryear, chief executive officer of the Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central North Carolina, addressed the Oxford City Board of Commissioners to summarize the organization’s services and ask for continued partnership and investment.
Puryear said the local club operates as essential workforce infrastructure, allowing parents to work knowing their children are supervised, fed and supported. She reported that last year the club was open 196 days during the school year and 49 days in the summer, enrolled about 344 youth this year while serving close to 800 youth overall, and that attendance has increased by roughly 67 percent. The club also reported providing around 16,000 hours of academic programming last year and a 100 percent graduation rate among its seniors, figures Puryear cited to illustrate outcomes tied to consistent participation.
Puryear provided a program cost estimate: she said it currently costs about $5,000 per child per year to operate the local club, while families pay a subsidized rate of approximately $15 per week for after‑school care and about $300 for an eight‑week summer program; she stressed that community investment makes up the difference and supports staffing and direct services. A parent who spoke at the meeting described the club as a “safe space” and praised staff dedication and the program’s positive effect on her children.
Commissioners thanked Puryear and noted the club’s role in crime prevention and workforce readiness. Several commissioners highlighted visiting the club and expressed ongoing support for outreach and local partnerships. The board did not make a funding decision at the meeting but recognized the club’s impact and encouraged continued engagement with city programs and potential supporters.
