The First Tee of Lake Erie’s intention to build a state-of-the-art learning facility on a 42-acre plot of land on Hill Avenue, adjoining the south side of The Inverness Club is much closer to becoming a reality with the help of Promedica and a partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Toledo. 
The First Tee of Lake Erie and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Toledo will use the new facility to promote golf to Toledo-area youth, as well as, provide a variety of educational activities and services. The new facility will include, a leadership center consisting of educational and activity space along with a driving range, short course, and practice facility.
A unique aspect of the new facility will be vocational training programs that will help youth apply for and obtain local job opportunities, as they become available in the community.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Toledo share a passion for helping area youth, by providing a safe environment to learn and enabling all young people to reach their potential. They can trace their roots back to 1892, when the Toledo Newsboys Association invited 102 rowdy downtown newspaper delivery boys to Christmas dinner. In 1906, the National Boys & Girls Club Foundation was formed, and Toledo became one of the 53 founding members.
The four key characteristics that define the essence of the Boys & Girls Club include:
- Dedicated Youth Facility where programs and activities can be held
- Open Daily, the clubs are open Monday through Friday after school, as well as, all summer long to give kids a safe, positive and productive place to learn.
- Professional Staff trained in youth development, plus volunteers to assist.
- They are affordable and available to all youth.
They currently have four facilities that allow them to provide area youth with their services:
-David Wehrmeister Club at Sherman Elementary School
-East Broadway Elementary School
-Carson Family Club at Marshall Elementary
-Homer Hanaham Club
The Boys & Girls Clubs partnership with The First Tee in this endeavor was a logical decision for both organizations. The First Tee introduces golf to children, but more importantly teaches hard work, life skills and builds confidence through its Nine Core Values:
Learning a sport that can serve our children for a lifetime, as well as, helping each child grow to become a responsible adult is the goal of The First Tee. Another important key is a healthy and active lifestyle that is taught in the three segments of their Nine Healthy Habits.
Physical:
-Energy
-Play
-Safety
Emotional:
-Vision
-Mind
-Family
Social:
-Friends
-School
-Community
The new facility will provide a safe environment for children to touch all of these bases.
Adam Reny, Executive Director of The First Tee of Lake Erie said,
“Our aim is to create a welcoming, safe environment for area youth to grow academically, develop life skills and receive vocational training that will help transfer into employment opportunities. Having our own space for daily operations is going to be a huge advancement for our chapter and the youth we serve.”
Promedica partnered with the local First Tee Chapter to raise the $4.9 million necessary to build the new facility. They feel it will provide positive options for area youth to develop life skills, which will prepare them for future job opportunities and greatly improve our community.
The First Tee of Lake Erie currently works closely with several area courses, operating in Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan. They serve over 8,000 area children through programs with the Toledo Public Schools, as well as, The Boys & Girls Clubs of Toledo.
This joint venture with Promedica, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Toledo and The First Tee of Lake Erie is the first of its kind to be attempted in the country and the new facility will be a tremendous asset for Toledo-area youth. Although the majority of the funds necessary to begin construction are secured, both the Boys & Girls Clubs and The First Tee of Lake Erie need continued support from the community to complete their important work.
If you would like to help either organization visit: http://www.bgctoledo.org/mission or https://www.firstteelakeerie.org/.
