Baker Youth Clubs Provides Safe Fun

July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.

By M.J. RHODES, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor-

Editor's note: This is the second in a series of articles highlighting the various agencies that receive funds from United Way. The remaining agencies will be periodically highlighted leading up to the annual United Way fund drive. Information on each agency will include: What and how services are provided, who receives the services, the people associated with the agency and funding received from United Way.

Baker Youth Clubs is dedicated to providing a safe and fun environment that will encourage members to become productive, responsible, participating members of society.

The organization is in the Pete Thorn Youth Center, 800 N. Park Ave., Warsaw. The director is Tracy Furnivall. Service is available to any school-aged girl or boy, regardless of race, religion or financial background. Many members come from low-income and broken families.

The programs offered include physical fitness, youth enrichment, mentoring and homework helpers. BYC currently has a membership of more than 200 children, and has received more than 1,000 children through the doors this year. Tens of thousands of children have been served during the 80-year history of BYC, many of whom still live in the community.

The staff includes 13 paid employees and three volunteers.

Baker Youth Clubs held its first daytime golf outing last year, after hosting the first Moonlight Golf outing, which continued for approximately eight years. The daytime outing was very successful, and BYC hopes for an even bigger event this year. The BYC budget totaled $95,000, of which 48 percent comes from United Way.

BYC has had only four directors since 1926, three of which were named "Man of the Year" in Kosciusko County. Work continues toward completion of the new Lichtenwalter Center, a facility named after the second director, Robert "Coach" Lichtenwalter, who is in his 56th year of serving the club. The new building will be at the corner of Market and Center streets, in the west part of Warsaw. Completion is slated for this fall, and the grand opening of the center is planned in conjunction with the celebration of BYC's 80th birthday.

Hours are Wednesday through Friday from 4:30 to 9 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, contact Furnivall at 574-267-8771 or e-mail [email protected] [[In-content Ad]]

Editor's note: This is the second in a series of articles highlighting the various agencies that receive funds from United Way. The remaining agencies will be periodically highlighted leading up to the annual United Way fund drive. Information on each agency will include: What and how services are provided, who receives the services, the people associated with the agency and funding received from United Way.

Baker Youth Clubs is dedicated to providing a safe and fun environment that will encourage members to become productive, responsible, participating members of society.

The organization is in the Pete Thorn Youth Center, 800 N. Park Ave., Warsaw. The director is Tracy Furnivall. Service is available to any school-aged girl or boy, regardless of race, religion or financial background. Many members come from low-income and broken families.

The programs offered include physical fitness, youth enrichment, mentoring and homework helpers. BYC currently has a membership of more than 200 children, and has received more than 1,000 children through the doors this year. Tens of thousands of children have been served during the 80-year history of BYC, many of whom still live in the community.

The staff includes 13 paid employees and three volunteers.

Baker Youth Clubs held its first daytime golf outing last year, after hosting the first Moonlight Golf outing, which continued for approximately eight years. The daytime outing was very successful, and BYC hopes for an even bigger event this year. The BYC budget totaled $95,000, of which 48 percent comes from United Way.

BYC has had only four directors since 1926, three of which were named "Man of the Year" in Kosciusko County. Work continues toward completion of the new Lichtenwalter Center, a facility named after the second director, Robert "Coach" Lichtenwalter, who is in his 56th year of serving the club. The new building will be at the corner of Market and Center streets, in the west part of Warsaw. Completion is slated for this fall, and the grand opening of the center is planned in conjunction with the celebration of BYC's 80th birthday.

Hours are Wednesday through Friday from 4:30 to 9 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, contact Furnivall at 574-267-8771 or e-mail [email protected] [[In-content Ad]]

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