Renowned actor and local community activist, Denzel Washington, credits the Boys and Girls Club for helping him stay in school and reaching his academic potential. He is now returning that favor, by being one of the proud sponsors for the national program.

The Boys and Girls Club provided a positive environment where Washington could excel academically and feels students, today, need those same attributes more than ever. He says, “The time between 3 and 6 p.m. are critical. That’s when kids need homework help, tutors, and mentors, but many are going home to empty houses.”

Belton Christian Youth Center has reached new heights thanks to its beloved Partners and Community Support!

Click to download the full article including a complete list of our generous 2010 donors, our 2010 highlights and accomplishments, as well as our 2011 goals.

Carolyn Gunter is many things. She is a mother...of two beautiful adult girls. She is a wife...44+ with Thomas Gunter. She is a Christian...serving the Lord passionately for decades. And, Carolyn Gunter knows children! Working with children in a variety of roles from Teacher to Center Director, Carolyn has worn many hats.

However, in January 2010, all that came to a stop. The January fire at the historical First Baptist Church, Temple not only burned large sections of the worship building, but caused enough damage to the children’s building to render it useless for a time. Due to mounting concerns, the Church made the heart-wrenching decision to close the Child Development Center. Carolyn Gunter had the daunting task of informing staff and families of the decision, as well as sorting through the rubble and wreckage left behind in the fire’s flames.

Fast forward one year...here we are now in January 2011. As God often does, even in the storms, new dreams and ministries find their way out in the hearts of His people. And thus, Carolyn Gunter is now on her way to a new ministry in Belton, TX.

E. Rhodes & Leona B. Carpenter Foundation continues its commitment to the Bell County community by supporting the Belton Christian Youth Center (BCYC). The foundation is providing a grant of $130,000 to the center that will enable the organization to revamp their old building, giving the center enhanced existing classroom space and more classrooms in order to provide tutoring, mentoring, and academic success plans for underprivileged children. Mr. Tommy Stinson, ER Carpenter Co., Division Director, Temple office, presented the check.

The three-phase development proposal for a complete building renovation and addition was submitted to Mr. Tommy Stinson in Temple last July to forward to the E. Rhodes & Leona B. Carpenter Foundation for review. “Upon receiving the phone call from Mr. Stinson regarding the approved grant and funded amount of $130,000, I was awestruck; I truly had goose bumps,” said Diana Sequin, BCYC Development Director. Mr. Stinson noted that this is one of the largest grants approved by the E. Rhodes & Leona B. Carpenter Foundation that he has witnessed, which makes this an even greater miracle.

Bank of America continues its commitment to the community by supporting the Belton Christian Youth Center’s Homework Assistance and Tutoring Program. The bank is providing a grant of $4,000 to the center that will enable the organization to continue to provide tutoring, mentoring, and academic success plans for underprivileged children from the following Belton ISD elementary schools: Miller Heights, Southwest, and Tyler.

“We’re grateful for the partnership with Bank of America which enables us to continue to help children with educational guidance,” said Diana Sequin, development director, Belton Christian Youth Center. “Every dollar invested helps us fulfill our mission to help students achieve academic greatness.”