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The Boys & Girls Club of Las Cruces announced a $1.5 million donation from Project Jupiter to support the organization’s mission to build a new facility that will triple the number of youth it can serve.
“We have waited decades for this moment, and thanks to the generosity of the Project Jupiter team, we can now officially put shovels in the ground and start making the dream of a new Boys & Girls Club a reality for youth in our community,” said Boys & Girls Club CEO Ashley Echavarria. “This major investment from Project Jupiter helps us significantly, and at Boys & Girls Club of Las Cruces, we truly appreciate their commitment to the community in Doña Ana County and the youth we serve.”
The donation will support the Building Great Futures Capital Campaign, which is funding the renovation and expansion of the former Video 4 property located at 1005 El Paseo Road in Las Cruces. With this contribution, the campaign has now surpassed 75% of its fundraising goal, reaching a major milestone that allows the organization to move forward with construction and officially break ground.
While the donation brings the project significantly closer to completion, the Boys & Girls Club will continue fundraising to fully fund the facility and ensure it can deliver expanded programming for years to come.
Once completed, the new facility will allow the Club to increase the number of youth served daily from 100 to more than 300, expanding access to the programs and resources that help build great futures for young people.
“Our programs are needed more than ever, but the Club’s current location and size have limited the number of kids we can serve. This contribution from Project Jupiter is transformational and will allow us to expand our footprint to better serve youth in Doña Ana County for generations to come,” said Boys & Girls Club Board Chair Kayla Fikany. “Partnerships like the one with Project Jupiter make it possible for us to help keep more kids safe and give them access to programs that can truly change their lives.”
The new facility will provide significantly more space for youth programming and will include a STEM Lab, a dedicated art room, a performing arts center and theater, a teen wing, a culinary arts kitchen, and additional multipurpose areas.
The Boys & Girls Club of Las Cruces has operated out of its current facility since 1965. The building was originally a Presbyterian church, and the organization is pursuing this expansion to meet growing community needs and broaden its impact.
“This contribution is among the first made by Project Jupiter based on its commitment to the community,” said county commissioner Christopher Schaljo-Hernandez. “We’d like to thank Project Jupiter for its contribution and the future dedication to our community as the project moves forward.”
“Kids and youth in Las Cruces and Doña Ana County deserve the best possible start in life, and that begins with safe, state-of-the-art spaces, mentorship, and programs that help them learn and grow,” said Rep. Nathan P. Small. “This historic investment in the Boys & Girls Club is a down payment on improving opportunities and outcomes for young people and building a brighter future for our entire community.”
“At STACK, we believe that supporting youth activities is one of the most meaningful ways to invest in the long-term strength of a community,” said Tessa Abeyta, Director, Community Engagement of STACK Americas. “The Boys & Girls Club of Las Cruces plays a critical role in providing safe spaces, educational opportunities, and mentorship for young people, and we are proud to support the expansion of a facility that will extend its impact across Doña Ana County.”
“The Boys & Girls Club of Las Cruces does remarkable work expanding opportunity for children and families across Doña Ana County, and we are honored to support its continued growth,” said Lanham Napier, Chairman of Borderplex Digital Assets. “From the outset, Project Jupiter’s goal has been to ensure the community thrives alongside us, and we remain committed to making a long-term, positive impact.”
The check presentation occurred today at the regularly scheduled meeting of the Doña Ana Board of County Commissioners. To learn more about Boys & Girls Club of Las Cruces and how you can contribute to the Building Great Futures Capital Campaign, visit www.bgclascruces.org.
