Boys and Girls Club of Wooster growing programs, moves to downtown office building

WOOSTER − Vibrant and freshly dried paint coats the walls of the James A. Howey Building as cans of the colorful liquid still line rooms.

Jon Hutchinson's crew at the Boys and Girls Club of Wooster moved into the building at 124 North Walnut St. in September following months of planning and continued growth, said Hutchinson, the nonprofit's executive director.

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With more staff, and a need to hire more people, Hutchinson said, their already cramped offices at Edgewood Middle School lacked the room to expand.

"We needed to ask ourselves the question, "Will this place be big enough for us in five years?'" he said.

The new space, Hutchinson said, will give the Boys and Girls Club the opportunity to expand its programs into all Wooster City Schools while improving the agency's connection with the wider community.

Connections and months of planning

Through the connections of his employees, Hutchinson knew a space had opened up in the James A. Howey Building this past February.

To pay for the anticipated move, and to fund existing and expanding programs, Hutchinson applied for a state grant that will provide $250,000 over two years, he said.

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Over the spring and summer months, Hutchinson awaited word on the grant status while he spoke with David Todaro, the building owner and a personal injury lawyer, about moving into the available space.

Now, the Boys and Girls Club of Wooster shares the building with law offices. In the coming months and years, their new space will allow for the expansion of administrative and program staff.

"We're hoping to begin expanding our programming into every Wooster City school in the coming years," he said.

These plans include continuing to provide academic recovery and leadership programs alongside services that fight food insecurity and expose students to sports like tennis and golf, he said.

For Jenni Szafranski, development director for the club, the move is a welcomed change.

"We're no longer stepping on each other's toes and can give the school some space," Szafranski said. "We're very excited and honored to have this space."

Open house and ribbon cutting

The agency will host a public open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the new office space from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 26, at the North Walnut Street location.

The Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce, Boys and Girls Club board members and corporate donors will attend. City officials, including elected officials, also are invited, Szafranski said.

Snacks and drinks will be provided.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Boys and Girls Club of Wooster moves to new offices on North Walnut