The Boys & Girls Club of Henderson County is expanding STEM opportunities for local youth and helping more families stay connected at home through a new partnership with Optimum.

The partnership was celebrated July 29 during a check presentation recognizing Optimum’s $7,500 investment in the Club’s STEM programming. Representatives from Optimum joined Hendersonville Mayor Barbara Volk, Boys & Girls Club leadership, staff, and members to celebrate the collaboration and its impact on young people and families throughout Henderson County.

The investment will support hands-on STEM experiences, technology, and innovative learning opportunities that encourage creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving among Club members. In addition, eligible Boys & Girls Club families now have access to Optimum’s $15 per month home internet program, helping make reliable internet service more affordable. Increased access to internet at home gives young people the ability to complete schoolwork, explore educational resources, and stay connected beyond the Club walls.

“We want to be more than just an internet provider. We want to be involved in the community because our employees work and live here,” said Scot James, Area Marketing Director, Mid-Atlantic for Optimum. “This organization does a remarkable job partnering with the school system and providing a place where kids can learn and grow. Most importantly, we want all kids to stay connected with their friends, their community, and be competitive in school. So much learning happens online, and we don’t want cost to be a barrier for families.”

Mayor Barbara Volk said partnerships like this strengthen the entire community.

“The Club is such a strong supporter of the families we have in Henderson County,” Volk said. “The support they receive from partners like Optimum builds up and strengthens the kids in our community, and they are our future.”

Kent Parent, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Henderson County, said community partnerships make it possible for the Club to provide experiences that help young people discover their potential.

“I often refer to this place as the ‘Magic Kingdom’ because there are so many magical things that happen here, and those things couldn’t happen without support from our local government and community partners like Optimum,” Parent said. “Our members experience opportunities they may not otherwise have, and every day they’re surrounded by caring adults who believe in them. It’s so much more than a child care facility. It’s a child development facility.”

Together, the Boys & Girls Club of Henderson County and Optimum are investing in the tools, technology, and opportunities that help young people discover new interests, build valuable skills, and prepare for the future.