Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties (BGCSDC) is proud to announce grant support from the William G. and Marie Selby Foundation to help equip a new, state-of-the-art teen center at the recently dedicated Gene Matthews Boys & Girls Club on the Steven and Marjolaine Townsend Campus in North Port.
Since sustaining significant damage from Hurricane Ian in 2022, the Gene Matthews Club operated from
temporary spaces on campus, including portable classrooms and the outdoor pavilion. Today, with the help of
valued partners like the Selby Foundation, the newly constructed Club offers state-of-the-art facilities that are
equipped with the resources and support Club kids need to turn their aspirations into reality.
Thanks to the support of the Selby Foundation, the teen room will include modern technology and supplies to
support instruction and presentation opportunities, and assist collaborative activities, workshops, and events.
In the William G. and Marie Selby Learning Lab, new furniture and laptops will unlock digital learning for Club
teens to use for academics, career exploration, and digital skill development. In addition, funding will support
assorted appliances for the Club Café, a space where Club teens can get hands-on learning opportunities for
culinary training and life skills. These spaces will be equipped with resources that help bring excitement to
learning while supporting teens as they explore academic and professional pathways.
“The support of the Selby Foundation ensures our teens have access to the tools and resources they need to
learn, grow, and prepare for great futures,” said Bill Sadlo, President/CEO of BGCSDC. “Investments like this
create meaningful opportunities for the youth of North Port to discover their passions, develop workforce-ready
skills, and build confidence in their abilities.”
The Gene Matthews Boys & Girls Club will continue its long-standing legacy of serving North Port’s youth
through award-winning programming and empowering them to reach their full potential. The enhanced space,
thanks in part to the Foundation, will strengthen programs like The Club’s STAR (Students Taking Active Roles)
Leadership Training Program, a nationally recognized leadership program that gives teens the tools to develop
professional skills, lead service projects, and make a positive impact in their community before serving as fullvoting board members for local partner agencies. Investments like these help expand The Club’s ability to
prepare young people for success.
The William G. and Marie Selby Foundation is the legacy of Bill and Marie Selby, two caring people who used
their resources to help others access opportunity. Now in its 70th year, the Foundation awards renewable
college scholarships to graduating high school students and capital grants to nonprofit organizations in the
region. Learn more online at SelbyFdn.org.
