Written By Dr. Flint W. Fowler

It’s hard to believe that my initial career interest was physical therapy. In my mind it was the best way to earn a living combining my love of science and sports. Well, imagine my surprise when my real passion turned out to be working with and for the children of the St. Louis region. Stated plainly, physical therapy strengthens and improves outcomes. My career in youth development focuses on the same results -- building capacity and inspiring promise.

I am captivated by the array of talents displayed by young people today. Their curiosity must be encouraged, their questions must be respected and their ambitions require our assistance. Former Secretary of State and Boys & Girls Clubs of America Governor Condoleezza Rice said that “Human capital will determine power in the current century, and the failure to produce that capital will undermine America’s security. Large, undereducated swaths of the population damage the ability of the United States to physically defend itself, protect its secure information, conduct diplomacy and grow its economy.” It is all of our responsibility to inspire and enable all children and teens to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens.  

In its publication, Voice, Choice, Access & Passion: Preparing the Centennial Generation for Leadership, Boys & Girls Clubs of America reports that those born after 1997 are the vanguard of a generation that is not expected to know a higher standard of living than their parents' generation. This mobile-first generation is defined by diversity, always present technology, social media, 24/7 information cycles and increasing rates of educational and social disparity. With an increasingly global economy and a workforce that requires 21st century skills and postsecondary training and education, too many teens are stepping into adulthood without the tools they need to become financially independent, and for many, break the intergenerational cycle of poverty. 

Out of School Time (OST) programs like Boys & Girls Clubs play a powerful role in helping young people, especially teens, develop the critical social armor they need to achieve success. The presence of social support systems such as OST programs, mentoring initiatives and even employment opportunities can act as important social shields to insulate vulnerable youth from the pathologies that create

the slippery slope leading to disconnection. Despite the powerful role that OST programs can play to help youth prepare for leadership, access itself poses a challenge that must be addressed. In most communities, services for teens, for example, are sparse. A report by the Afterschool Alliance makes the case for more and stronger pre-college programs for our nation’s youth and teens, noting that millions more would participate in an after-school program if one were available to them.  

Boys & Girls Club leadership has long argued that OST providers should create a college bound, workforce development culture that supports pre-teens and teens before they encounter academic challenges or get on the path to disconnection. Early work experiences are key to developing productive citizens and leaders. A report by Professors Paul Harrington and Ishwar Khatiwada at the Drexel University Center for Labor Markets and Policy notes, among other things, that “Exposure to work experience in teen years has long-term benefits. Labor market work experience helps teens accumulate human capital by exposing them to the world of work where they learn essential job and career skills.” 

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis ultimately seeks to have its members develop these traits: Passion & Purpose; Voice & Agency; Growth Mindset; Grit & Resiliency and Personal Brand & Character.  

If you have never seen the work we do, want to roll up your sleeves and get to work or are willing to join in our mission please contact me at flint@bgcstl.org. 

Dr.  Flint  W.  Fowler  has  served  as President of the  Boys &  Girls  Clubs  of  Greater  St.  Louis (formerly  Herbert  Hoover  Boys  &  Girls  Club) since  1996.  He  is  responsible  for  managing  the strategic  planning  and  operations  of  the Club in  support  of  its  goals  and  mission.  A  native  of St. Louis, Fowler received both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Psychology from Washington  University,  and  a  Doctor  of  Philosophy  degree  in  Education  from  Saint  Louis University.  Other  professional  positions  include  Managing  Director  for  INROADS/St.  Louis,  a national nonprofit career development organization for talented minority students; Executive Director, Operation Teamwork; Upward Bound Director and Employment Supervisor at Saint Louis University; and District Executive for the Greater St. Louis Area Council, Boy Scouts of America.