Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Virginia Celebrate Beam Signing for Chesapeake Teen Center, Marking Public Launch of the Campaign to Great Futures (Copy)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: November 14, 2025
Media Inquiries:
Tyrell Scott
tscott@bgcseva.org
757-321-7078
Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Virginia Celebrate Beam Signing for Chesapeake Teen Center, Marking Public Launch of the Campaign to Great Futures
Chesapeake, VA – Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Virginia (BGCSEVA) today marked a major milestone in reimagining youth opportunity in Hampton Roads with the beam signing ceremony for The Club Teen Center, a first-of-its-kind facility in Hampton Roads designed exclusively for teens. The event also celebrated the public launch of BGCSEVA’s Campaign to Great Futures, a capital campaign supporting the construction and long-term impact of this transformative new space.
Kevin Will, President & CEO of BGCSEVA, opened the ceremony by emphasizing the vision behind the effort. “The Campaign to Great Futures is more than a capital effort. It’s a promise to our young people that their dreams matter and their futures are worth investing in,” Will said. “This center will redefine what it means to prepare young people for the future.”
The ceremony featured remarks from regional leaders and youth voices, including:
• Kevin Will, President & CEO, BGCSEVA
• Isaiah, BGCSEVA 2025 Youth of the Year
• Dr. Jared Cotton, Superintendent, Chesapeake Public Schools
• Congressman Bobby Scott, U.S. House of Representatives
• Mayor Rick West, Mayor of Chesapeake
The Club Teen Center will fill a critical gap in Chesapeake, where current BGCSEVA programming ends after 5th grade. The Club will provide teens ages 13 –18 access to purpose-driven programs that help them build workforce-ready skills, explore career pathways, engage with mentors and employers, and develop confidence and leadership. Unlike traditional youth facilities, this state-of-the-art center will give teens a dedicated environment to grow, explore, and envision their futures beyond graduation.
“This building used to be Greenbrier Lighting, where I used to get lights from many times,” said Mayor Rick West. “Now it will bring a new light to Chesapeake through these teens.”
During the ceremony, elected officials, community members and youth signed an honorary beam, symbolizing both the literal and symbolic foundation of the future teen center and the shared commitment to expanding opportunity, access, and life-changing impact for young people across Hampton Roads.
To learn more about the Campaign to Great Futures or to support the Chesapeake Teen Center project, visit www.bgcseva.org or contact Adrianna Rivera, Chief Development Officer, at arivera@bgcseva.org or 757-321-6140.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Virginia
Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Virginia (BGCSEVA) provides structured youth development programs for youth ages 6–18 after school and during summer weekdays. We provide a safe and fun place for youth and teens to learn, grow, and be exposed to nationally recognized, dynamic programs that help members build great futures. All programs are rooted in the Boys & Girls Clubs Formula for Impact, which delivers high-yield activities, supportive relationships, and regular attendance. Our members strive toward three priority outcomes: Academic Success, Good Character & Citizenship, and Healthy Lifestyles.
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