Natchitoches, LA – The Boys & Girls Clubs of Acadiana (BGCA) welcomes De’Andrea “De” Sanders as the new Club Director of the upcoming Natchitoches Club.
As Director of the club, De is responsible for developing and implementing youth development instructional strategies, content, and management of the organization’s evaluation system. Her role also includes working alongside the BGCA Leadership Team to bring research and evidence-based practices reflecting the mission and goals into the club and out into the community.
De is a former teacher and substitute teacher for the Natchitoches Parish School system where she developed curriculum and structure for the classroom. Engaging with her community, she has led summer camps and youth programs, including managing staff and raising funding to ensure their sustainability. In her current role, she will use her teaching abilities and knowledge of programming to establish a safe and healthy environment to coach, lead, and mentor the youth of Natchitoches.
De is eager to begin her new role, stating, “I am very grateful for the opportunity to serve the Natchitoches community again by helping offer youth programming.”
"The success of our expansion into Natchitoches hinged upon the right hire for Unit Director," said Rhyan Wheeler, President and CEO of Boys & Girls Club of Acadiana. “It was critical that we hired someone engrained in the community, with experience and passion in youth development, who exudes strong leadership qualities. I am excited to welcome De to the BGCA team and can’t wait to start serving youth in the Natchitoches community with her leading the way.”
Van Erikson, Advisory Council Chair for the Natchitoches Club also states “I have known Coach De for awhile now, and one thing consistently comes to mind is that her drive and passion are always at the forefront of all that she does and accomplishes. Her vision for youth development in Natchitoches will now coincide with the future of the Boys & Girls Club, and I couldn’t be more excited for her and the future of our community.”
Boys & Girls Clubs of Acadiana anticipates that the Natchitoches Club will open in the Ben D. Johnson Auditorium, thanks to community support in late March, 2022. A community breakfast will precede the opening. Tickets for the Community Breakfast are available for purchase here and all proceeds will benefit the Natchitoches Boys & Girls Club: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/natchitoches-community-breakfast-tickets-239404183357?aff=ebdsoporgprofile
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Acadiana
This year marks the 51st anniversary of Boys & Girls Clubs of Acadiana. Boys & Girls Clubs of Acadiana operates under a mission to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens. Serving 1,0006 children in six different locations, Boys & Girls Clubs provide opportunities through school programs and summer camps with activities focusing on Academic Success, Healthy Lifestyles & Habits, and Good Character & Leadership. A seventh location in Natchitoches, Louisiana will open in January 2022.
If interested in supporting the Boys & Girls Club, visit www.bgcacadiana.com/donate or call 337-268-9555.