Fort Smith Boys & Girls Club Awarded 21st Century Learning Center Grant to Launch New Teen Center in Partnership with Future School
The Fort Smith Boys & Girls Clubs is proud to announce it has been awarded the prestigious 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) grant, enabling the launch of a new Teen Center in collaboration with the innovative Future School of Fort Smith.
The grant, awarded by the Arkansas Department of Education, will fund a dynamic after-school and summer enrichment program focused on academic support, college and career readiness, workforce development, leadership development, and social-emotional learning for teens in the Fort Smith community.
“This is a transformative moment for youth in our city,” said Beth Presley, CEO of the Fort Smith Boys & Girls Clubs. “The Teen Center will provide a safe, engaging, and empowering space for 8th grade-12th grade students to learn, grow, and prepare for their futures.”
Set to open in Fall 2025, the Teen Center will operate on the campus of the Future School, a public charter high school known for its focus on personalized, project-based learning. The partnership will leverage the strengths of both organizations to deliver mentorship, tutoring, STEM workshops, arts programming, career exploration, and access to mental health resources.
Fort Smith Public School students as well as area private school and homeschooled students are welcome to participate in all Teen Center programs, ensuring a broader reach to serve youth throughout the community.
“Since founding Future School, we’ve dreamed of hosting a teen center outside the hours of the normal school day,” said Future School co-founder and Superintendent, Boyd Logan. “This partnership with the Fort Smith Boys and Girls Clubs is bringing us closer to our vision of serving the diverse needs of this community.”
The Nita M. Lowey 21st CCLC grant provides financial support for the creation or expansion of community learning centers that provide academic enrichment during non-school hours for children. These programs help students meet state and local standards in core academic subjects, such as reading, literacy, math and science; offer students a broad array of enrichment activities that can complement their regular academic programs; and offer literacy and other educational services to the families of participating children.
“We believe in investing in the future of our teens,” said Roger Meek, Chairman of the Board of the Fort Smith Boys & Girls Clubs. “This Teen Center will be a game-changer, offering the kind of support and opportunity that helps young people rise to their full potential. We’re excited to see the lasting impact it will have on our entire community.”
The 21st CCLC grant reflects a growing recognition of the need for out-of-school-time programs that keep teens engaged and inspired beyond the classroom. Through this initiative, Fort Smith youth will gain vital skills, confidence, and connections to achieve their full potential in a safe and secure environment.
