July 2025 / Vol. 001
Thank You for Being Our Heroes
To our incredible donors and dedicated staff-thank you.
Your generosity, time, and heart have kept hope alive for hundreds of kids in Southern Illinois. Because of you, we’re not just reopening-we’re reimagining whats possible for our youth. In November of 2024 we reached out reopening Fundraising Goals, raising more than $600,000 from individuals, family foundations, businesses, and municipal entities Whether you gave your time, your resources, or your voiceyou are our heroes.
Together, we are building a brighter, safer, and more opportunity-filled future. We see you. We appreciate you. We celebrate you!
Eurma Hayes Center
What's New at BGCSI
We’re proud that the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Illinois is back open! Thanks to your continued support, we’ve reopened stronger than ever-offering daily afterschool programs, an exciting spring break camp, and now our 8- week Summer Camp starting June 9 through August 1, from 7:30 a.m. toS:30 p.m.
Our Marion Club has reached full capacity, and only a few spots remain at our Carbondale location -an amazing sign of how deeply our services are needed and valued by families.
We’re especially excited to announce that our Carbondale Club will be moving to a new location for the 2025 Summer Camp! The Eurma Hayes Center (441 East Willow St.) will host next year’s camp in the heart of the Carbondale community providing greater access for more youth in surrounding neighborhoods. This beautiful space offers green areas for play and wellness, along with dedicated rooms for tech, music, sewing, and arts programming. With the strong leadership of Lashaunda and our incredible staff, we are confident this move will allow our members to thrive like never before.
Thank you to the administrator Bob Willis for working with our Carbondale club!
Together, We Reopened the Doors
We extend our sincere thanks to First United Methodist Church of Carbondale for their generosity, support, and partnership over the past year.
Thanks to their open doors and open hearts, we were able to reopen our Boys & Girls Clubs programming in November 2024 and begin rebuilding a safe, supportive space for youth in our community.
Their passion for young people and commitment to service created the foundation we needed to grow.
Because of them, lives have been touched, futures have been shaped, and hope has been restored.
We are so grateful for the journey we’ve shared and the impact we’ve made together.
Thank you!
Dr. Lashonda Hubert
Leading with Vision: Meet Dr. LaShonda Hubert
Meet our Chief Executive Officer, Dr. LaShonda Hubert who has been in her role for nearly a year. She is a dynamic leader with a proven track record of expanding programs, empowering communities, and creating meaningful opportunities for young people.
Her leadership journey includes directing youth initiatives in East St. Louis and overseeing multiple club sites in the St. Louis City region. With her leadership we have successfully reopened the Carbondale and Marion Clubs, ensuring safe, impactful programming. We are honored to have her in Southern Illinois and look forward to the incredible impact she will continue to make.
Board of Directors update
Russ Williams
With Gratitude: A Leadership Transition
It is time to transition to a new Chair for the BGCSI Board of Directors.
We want to take a moment to express our heartfelt appreciation to Russ, who has faithfully served as the Chair.
Russ stepped into leadership at a time of great uncertainty, shortly before the difficult decision was made to temporarily close our Clubs. His steady guidance, resilience, and commitment to our mission helped keep the board united and focused on the future.
With Russ at the helm, and with your unwavering support, we laid the groundwork to reopen our doors and return to doing what we do best serving and empowering young people in our community.
As Russ transitions out of his role, we thank him for his dedication and impact-and we thank you, our donors, for standing beside us. Your belief in our mission continues to shape brighter futures.
Together, we are building something strong and lasting.
New Chair: Mike Ruiz
Starting in July, we are excited to welcome Mike Ruiz as the new Chair of the Board of Directors for the BGCSI!
Mike joined the Board in 2024 and has served as Co-Chair of the Resource Development Committee. Now retired, he he brings a wealth of experience from his career as an attorney and former university staff member. Deeply committed to community service, Mike also serves on the boards of the United Way, START, WSIU, the Illinois Equal Justice Foundation, and the Murphysboro Apple Festival.
Mike supports BGCSI because of the vital role we play in the lives of youth and families across Southern Illinois. We’re honored to have his leadership as we continue to grow and serve.
Mike Ruiz
A Champion for kids
We are beyond honored to celebrate Dr. Kathleen Fralish, a founding member and longtime leader on the Board of Directors. Since our very beginning in 2004, Dr. Fralish has been a driving force behind our mission. Tirelessly championing the success, growth, and empowerment of young people in our region.
To recognize her incredible legacy of service, Mayor Mike Absher of Marion and Mayor Carolin Harvey of Carbondale each issued heartfelt proclamations honoring Dr. Fralish’s decades of dedication.
The City of Carbondale ordered a proclamation on May 19, 2025 and following that The City of Marion proclaimed May 20, 2025 as Kathie Fralish day of recognition!
Helping present this well-deserved recognition was Randy Osborn, our founding Executive Director, who served when the Clubs first opened their doors in 2004. His presence was a full-circle moment and a beautiful tribute to Dr. Fralish’s unwavering support through the years.
Dr. Fralish’s leadership has made a lasting impact, not just on our organization, but on generations of youth and families throughout Southern Illinois. We are forever grateful for her wisdom, selfless dedication, and heart for this mission.
We are so thankful for Kathie’s incredible contributions and unwavering commitment to our community and to the board of directors for BGCSI.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
Community makes it possible
Our successful reopening is thanks to the incredible support of our community! We are beyond thankful!
We were able to capture some of the faces behind our success, what a wonderful community we have!
We are grateful to the Poshard Foundation, Marion Texas Roadhouse, Big Muddy Solar, Ross shoppers, D9 organizations, Asian, First Southern Bank, Dale’s Burger Shack, Pepsi MidAmerica, Cristaudo’s, ACE Murdale, Indigo Realty, Katrina Neil Photography, Wichmann Vineyard, Marion Kiwanis, The City of Marion and The City of Carbondale and so many others!
Your kindness is not only helping local youth thrive, but it’s also making a difference for families as a whole. Creating a stronger, more connected future for all!
Because of you, children in Southern Illinois have a safe place to grow, play and belong.
We couldn’t do it without you.
Thank you for standing with us.
With gratitude,
The BGCSI Team
