BEMIDJI – Andrea Kent, Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club of the Bemidji Area, has been inducted into the Greater Midwest Area Council Boys & Girls Club Hall of Fame in recognition for her tireless efforts in support of local youth.
The honor is reserved for individuals whose high achievements have made a mark on their local Club and have shaped and inspired regional Clubs in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
Kent joined the Boys & Girls Club in 2009 and became Executive Director in 2012. In her nearly 15 years of service, Kent has always been a strong believer in the mission of the Club and an advocate for Boys & Girls Clubs locally and nationally.
“Her passion for the mission and the children of our community is infectious, and we are grateful for her every day.”
“Andrea is the driving force pushing our Club forward into the future,” shared Dan Nynas, chair of the Club’s Board of Directors. “Her passion for the mission and the children of our community is infectious, and we are grateful for her every day.”
Under Kent’s leadership, the organization has expanded from one site to three, making it possible for the Club to serve more youth, families, and communities. In 2023, the Boys & Girls Club opened a second site in partnership with Bemidji Schools at J.W. Smith Elementary. In 2024, after hearing about the city’s need for child care, a Blackduck Branch was opened.
“I see this not as a job, but as a calling,” Kent said while accepting the honor. “It’s a great honor to serve alongside such an incredible, talented, and dedicated team who believe that collectively we can make a real difference in the lives of our children, teens, families, and our Bemidji and Blackduck communities.”
The Boys & Girls Club of the Bemidji Area now serves nearly 500 youth annually. In 2024, it had 492 members across its three sites, and served 25,784 free, healthy snacks and meals to youth.
Kent shared that she could not have done the work she has without the support of the staff at Boys & Girls Club of the Bemidji Area, its board of directors, or most importantly her parents, children, and husband.
“Absolutely, positively, I can’t do this important work with their love and support,” Kent said. “Thank you all for supporting and inspiring me. I’m humbled and honored.”
To make a gift in honor of Andrea Kent’s dedicated service as a recipient of this award, please click button below.
There is $7B in funding that was already allocated to out-of-school programs like 21st Century Community Learning Centers that is currently being held for review. Note: This funding hold is not related to the “Big Beautiful Bill” – a tax bill recently passed.
The proposed budget from President Trump does not include funding for 21st Century Community Learning Centers.
There is no need to panic! The Club’s J.W. Smith Branch is set to open on September 2, 2025.
Leadership staff and the Board of Directors are in communication and making a plan for how to keep the site running as close to its normal operations as possible, and making back-up plans as needed.
Boys & Girls Club of America is advocating and encouraging others to contact their representatives to urge for:
The release of the $7B in funding
To include funding for out-of-school programs in the next federal budget.
Advocate about how important the Club is to you and your family!
Share your Club story with your networks and urge others to speak up on behalf of Club families in our communities and across the nation.
Follow the Club on social media.
If you’re a Club family member, sign up for and read your Remind messages.
Make a gift to the Club if you’re able! Local funding is much more sustainable for our Club and helps keep Club programs running.
