Boys & Girls Clubs Returning To Northport After Nearly Three Decades

NORTHPORT, AL — The Boys & Girls Clubs of West Alabama will soon have a hub in Northport for the first time in nearly three decades.

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The Northport City Council during its regular meeting Monday night first approved a deal that saw the city's deed for the Robert Hasson Community Center returned from Academics in Motion — a nonprofit that has been running the center for the last four years.

The council approved the deal by a 4-0 vote, with District 2 Councilman Woodrow Washington III abstaining due to being a board member for the Boys & Girls Clubs of West Alabama. In a subsequent measure, the council approved deeding the community center to the Boys & Girls Clubs.

Boys & Girls Clubs of West Alabama President & CEO Kim Turner told Patch it has been over 25 years since the nonprofit had a daily program in Northport.

"Boys & Girls Clubs of West Alabama is excited about opening our newest Club at the Hasson Center in Northport this summer," she said. "This new program will provide high quality after school and summer programs in STEM, literacy, recreation, arts and crafts, technology, and much more. We are grateful for the vision and support from the City of Northport for our program."

Washington's district includes the Robert Hasson Community Center, which he said is capable of holding roughly 50 kids. The hope, he said, was to see programming begin as early as June 1.

"Mainly, I'm just happy for them," Washington told Patch. "The council is all about getting more things for youth to get them off the streets and provide a safe a place. I'm appreciative of them and even the Boys & girls Club for entertaining this. With them they have tutoring and summer activities."

The Robert Hasson Community Center is located at 1513 12th Street in Northport.

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