BEND, OR -- The Boys and Girls Clubs of Bend has a new Executive Director. Amanda Gow says when the previous Boys and Girls Clubs Director, Derek Beauvais called her to consider the post, she jumped at the chance. "It's just something that's a perfect fit for me and my background at work, but also with my passion for young people in Central Oregon, and I just thought it was an opportunity I could not pass up and I was so fortunate to be considered for it."
Formerly, Gow was Director of Community Programs at J Bar J Youth Services in Bend and overseer of both Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Cascade Youth and Family Center.
As a child, Gow utilized the programs offered by the Boys and Girls Clubs of Bend and finds it fitting to now be part of advocating on behalf of Central Oregon's children. "I grew up here in Central Oregon, I grew up needing the services the Boys and Girls Clubs provides, so to now be able to run that program and be able to offer that to other young people in our community who need these services, need that support and the programs we offer. It's a true honor to be able to do something like that. I have dedicated my life to helping young people, so really it was just a natural transition to continue to do work with young people here in Central Oregon."
Gow isn't planning any major changes and she is looking forward to working as a community liaison, educating Central Oregon about the programs Boys and Girls Clubs offers and ensuring they serve every child who needs them. "My goals are just to continue to support the programs that we have, to ensure that they are the highest of quality and that we are reaching every child that needs us, and then to really be the community liaison to let the community know what we're doing and how they can be involved, and opportunities to support the Club."
Gow's first day was September 6, 2017.
