$55 for the 55th Anniversary Fundraising Campaign!

In past years, the “bottom” had been a thriving place for black businesses but had begun to deteriorate. An educator, business and civic leader, Mrs. Hawk noticed that young black males had begun to engage in negative behaviors and activities. She asked the question, “What are we training our young people to do? I can’t stand it—someone has to step in. We got to change things.”

She decided that a “boys club” was the answer and the Hawk-Houston Boys Club of Dothan became a charter member of the Boys Club of America. Over the years local and national funding to support the organization declined. Even in the face of declining support, the Club adhered to the practice to “…never turn a child away even if he/she can not afford the dues/fees.’ in December 2017, after almost 54 years, our national membership charter was revoked by Boys & Girls Clubs of America due to years of delinquent dues.

Mrs. Hawk said she believed that “…great things will come from it.” And, many great things, youth, boys and girls, have gone on to successful lives and careers.

Alveta Houston was born May 5, 1905, Dothan, AL. As her health began to fade, she is quoted in her biography, “Cookies & Lemonade, by Elaine Slaughter,
“I am proud of my life. I hope that what I leave behind will be pleasing to God, because He has been my Guide for all of my life.”

The $55 for 55th anniversary fundraising campaign is one of the campaigns the board of directors has implemented to help erase our financial deficit, purchase a 16-passenger van, continue to improve the facility and serve those youth that need us because “Great things come from within.”