Suncoast Credit Union Foundation has donated $300,000 to sponsor a Teen Center at the Park Meadows Community Club, a flagship location under development in Fort Myers by Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County.
The Teen Center will offer older club members a distinctive space with programs that cater to college and career readiness. The space can accommodate dozens of teens in the After-school Program and Summer Enrichment Camp, and will feature individual and group learning stations as well as lounge seating, a television and other teen-centric amenities.
“College and career readiness is a critical part of our focus through the new Teen Center, and this new space will allow us to offer programs that guide our club members as they prepare for post-secondary education and embark on future career paths,” said Denise Gergley, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County. “The donation from Suncoast will bring an opportunity to teens at Park Meadows that no other club offers in Lee County.”
Architectural renderings for the Park Meadows Community Club transformation include enclosed activity centers, a gathering hall, innovation lab, culinary center, youth playground, community conference room, game room, academic center, health and wellness center, “big dreams hub,” creative corner and sports field.
Suncoast Credit Union Foundation is the second corporate or philanthropic partner to contribute a donation of $300,000 or higher to the Park Meadows Capital Campaign, which has a $4 million fundraising goal. Renovations are expected to continue through fall 2025.
Suncoast Credit Union, Florida’s largest credit union, founded the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation in 1990 to promote the education, health and emotional well-being of children in the communities it serves. Since its inception, the Foundation has contributed more than $53 million to nonprofits and charitable causes.
“At Suncoast Credit Union, we believe that every young person deserves a space where they can dream big, discover their potential and build a brighter future,” said Bob Hyde, vice president of community impact for Suncoast Credit Union. “We are proud to support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County in creating a Teen Center that will empower and inspire the next generation with the confidence, skills and opportunities they need to succeed.”
For more information about the Park Meadows Capital Campaign, please visit bgclee.org/park-meadows-campaign, call 239-250-2504 or email DGergley@BGClee.org.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County
Established in 1974, Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County serve children and teens through school-based, neighborhood and community club locations. The nonprofit’s mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens. After-school and summer programs focus on five core areas: education and career, service and leadership, health and wellness, the arts, and sports and recreation. For more information, please visit BGClee.org or call 239-334-1886.
About Suncoast Credit Union
Suncoast Credit Union is the largest credit union in the state of Florida, the 8th largest in the United States based on membership, and the 10th largest in the United States based on its $18.4 billion in assets. Chartered in 1934 as Hillsborough County Teachers Credit Union, Suncoast Credit Union currently operates 81 full-service branches and serves more than 1.2 million members across Florida. As a community credit union, anyone who lives, works, attends school, or worships in Suncoast Credit Union’s service area is eligible for membership. In 2021, Suncoast Credit Union’s field of membership was expanded to include public K-12 teachers, college educators, and educational support staff from all of Florida’s 67 counties. Suncoast is passionate about community support. Since its founding in 1990, the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation has raised and donated more than $53 million to organizations and initiatives that support the health, education, and emotional well-being of children in the communities that the credit union serves. For more information, visit suncoast.com or follow us on social media: Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.
