Boys & Girls Clubs of the Pee Dee Area have added another Club site starting this September at Johnsonville Elementary.

“We are glad to partner with Florence School District 5 and Superintendent Brian Goins to see that the kids aren’t left behind,” said Neal Zimmerman, Executive Director of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Pee Dee Area.

The South Carolina Department of Education announced the 2025-26 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant award in August. Three other Club sites in the Pee Dee Area are partially funded through this federal program: Hartsville, Pamplico, and Timmonsville.

Florence School District 5 previously ran a 21st Century Learning Center at the school and asked Boys & Girls Clubs to continue the afterschool program once its grant ran out in June.

The Johnsonville Boys & Girls Club expands opportunities with operations daily after school, Monday through Friday, as well as a four-week summer program to combat the summer slide.

“This gives us the chance to continue to provide quality out-of-school services and to introduce them to Boys & Girls Club culture of belonging,” Zimmerman said.

As with all Boys & Girls Clubs, our youth development strategy remains the same, focused on three priority outcomes:

• Academic Success: Preparing for college, trade school, military, or the world of work.
• Good Character & Citizenship: Becoming an engaged citizen involved in the community, registering to vote, and modeling a strong character.
• Healthy Lifestyles: Adopting a healthy diet, practicing healthy lifestyle choices, and making a lifelong commitment to fitness.

Parents can complete the membership application for the Johnsonville Boys & Girls Club online at https://bit.ly/JohnsonvilleBGC.