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Cassidy arrived at the Boys and Girls Club as a shy child bouncing between foster homes, reluctant to participate in activities or connect with others. Today, she’s a college graduate whose education was fully funded through a national scholarship she earned by standing before 150 people and sharing her story of resilience and growth.

Her transformation illustrates exactly why the Boys and Girls Clubs of Magic Valley exist—to be there when young people need them most.

“Our mission is simple but powerful: to enable all youth who need us most to become productive and caring citizens,” explains Lindsey Westburg, Executive Director, who has dedicated 20 years to the organization. Across 10 club sites spanning from Buhl to Rupert, the Clubs serve 4,000 kids annually, addressing pressing challenges many Magic Valley families face daily including after school programming, food insecurity, and personal development.

Building More Than Character

The Clubs’ three core areas—healthy lifestyles, academic achievement, and character building—provide a foundation that extends well beyond childhood. From STEM programs to literacy support to teaching the importance of physical activities and eating right, the organization connects children to opportunities that might not otherwise be available. This also includes leadership coaching, understanding citizenship, and learning how to be part of a team.

“Relationships and mentorship are the foundation,” Westburg emphasizes. “We’ve seen kids come into a STEM program here and want to go to school to be an engineer, where they couldn’t afford to do that outside of club services.”

Stephanie Hudson, Director of Advancement, agrees that personal connections matter most. “When we run into youth that are now working, maybe even parents, what they tell us is they remember the people—the relationships they built with mentors.”

The Youth of the Year program, which First Fed supports as a local sponsor, exemplifies this impact. Participants write essays, interview with community members, and deliver speeches about personal challenges and triumphs. For Cassidy, this process built confidence and communication skills that opened doors she never imagined possible.

“At 15 or 16, to public speak in front of 150 people, meet with legislators, and advocate for what’s important—those communication skills are incredibly valuable,” Hudson explains.

Partners in Transformation

Community partnerships enable the Clubs’ success. Organizations like First Fed support everything from back-to-school shopping programs to facility improvements, allowing staff to focus resources on youth development rather than operational gaps.

“We could not do this work without community partners,” Hudson explains. “They allow us to offer enriching programming and top-tier mentorship.”

For those interested in supporting the mission, there are multiple ways to get involved including volunteering at meal service, sharing professional skills, or simply spreading awareness. “There’s so much opportunity to get engaged with youth,” Hudson notes. But ultimately, it is about the next generation being provided an opportunity to grow and succeed. “Whether you’re in Twin Falls, Buhl, Jerome, or another one of our sites, every child benefits from being at a Boys and Girls Club,” states Hudson.

Because sometimes, being given a chance makes all the difference between a shy foster child and a confident college graduate ready to change the world.

Learn more about the Boys and Girls Clubs of Magic Valley at bgcmv.com.