I started in the summer when my friend talked about how she enjoyed it... and that summer was the best of all! I like hanging out with my friends and I'm involved with Smart Girls, Art, Knitting and Culinary programs..

I like to play tennis on the courts. I can do backhand, forehand and serve… and I go to Smart Moves where we learn not to use drugs and stuff. They teach us to do things and respect people and not say bad words and not punch people.

My friends started coming and telling me about different stations here, like the Junior Game Room and Gym. I like Volleyball. I can run fast and get a lot of touchdowns. I get good grades 'cause they help me with my homework. If you don't come here you could do drugs and they teach you to be good. There's three or four kids coming [now] 'cause I told them how much fun it is to come here.

Football is my sport. I play for Booker and I've been coming here 5-1/2 years. I had nothing to do, except just go home and play video games…and no friends so my mom said go somewhere to meet friends and I met a lot here. I usually come here for tutoring. It helped me a lot in study skills. I learn geometry faster because of the skills they taught me. Boys & Girls Club is a big thing in my life. It helped me be more responsible, more honest and help other people.

I heard they made a new one [new Fruitville Boys & Girls Club] so I wanted to come here and play. I play basketball and football in the league. I get to do homework because I don't like to wait and do it at home. They help you, like if there's a problem they can explain it .I'm never bored because I get to play and there's the computer lab for homework if I need the Internet. We can even play games [on the Internet}. It's fun here!

I just moved so I came here in August. My mom heard from friends that it was a good place and it's a place to go after school. My sister also comes here. I like Book Club every week with fun projects. The cool thing is the Book Club has a selection with two co-presidents and secretary. I won as one co-president. There's the rock wall and computer lab, and if it's a nice day I go to tennis.

We raised money for Hurricane Katrina with a coin drive and sold goodie bags. Then we wrote a letter from the group and President Bush wrote back.

Its better'n being home just doing nothing. We don't' see kids out a lot at home and I'd ride my bike or just watch TV. You can do things you like and get a chance to do different things.

My brother Chris started here first and then I did. My mom was busy and I didn't have anything to do. I like playing with my friends here, there are lots of kids. We play basketball and football -- all the stuff we can do but never got to do 'cause no place to do it.

I like it here. One of my friends said she loved it here so I wanted to come. I play games. I like to play at the playground with my counselor. We meet people and make friends with them. It's a fun place where you can play and do homework. They all help me. I like the elementary game room, art room and playground. We get to make cards for holidays.

I've been coming here a long time. My mom thought it would be nice for me and my sister. It was really fun. You can just play basketball, football, any sport you want to play. I play lots of sports. My best friend goes here. When you go in a different group you meet people that are new and want to make friends and can ask a person to play. It's really fun. I like to play football and Octopus, a tagging game. The first day I came here was really nice. When they started to build the new one, I couldn't wait! And in the summers we get to go in the pool and there's these little fountains that squirt water out and you can play in them. At home I can play with my dog but sometimes she sleeps.

I started at six years old, as soon as you can start coming [to the Boys & Girls Club]. My mom was a single parent with me and my brother so we went after school until the Club closed… really had no other place to go because mom worked two jobs. I saw great examples throughout the club on how to treat people and realized the difference the Boys and Girls Club made in my life. It was a second family, a home away from home. I really learned all my life lessons there, how to deal with drug and peer pressures. It made life easier and I realized I didn't have to follow the crowd and could be my own person and now I'm trying to put that example forward for the kids here. I went to college and got back involved and have been here ever since.

"The Club was our hangout after school and we played basketball versus hanging out on the street. Mack Reid was our counselor back in those days at the original club on Fruitville. It was a great experience. Now both of my sons have gone through it because I saw it was a good place for me, with lots of activities and no negative influences. If you don't want your kids to go home and just sit there while you're at work it keeps them active, especially during summertime and after school. I had great experiences there and later actually served as a board member and volunteered as a coach. After I retire I think I'll go back to as a volunteer."