This story originally appeared in the inaugural edition of the Owensboro Times quarterly newspaper.
For more than three decades, Clay White has been a guiding force at the Boys and Girls Club of Owensboro, mentoring generations of children and leaving an indelible mark on the community. Whether he’s handing out high-fives, shooting hoops in the gym, or simply lending a listening ear, White has become a beloved figure in a place that has evolved from a modest facility on Frederica Street into a vital hub for local youth.
“The kids keep me coming back,” White said. “They have a whole lot of energy, and they keep me on my feet. They keep me young.”
That much could be seen as White prepared to take his photo for this story. Ten children were called over to join him, and they couldn’t have been more eager to participate. They all crowded around White for the photo, with one young girl happy to drape an arm around his shoulder.
While it was a bit of chaos wrangling the youngsters and keeping them still, White spoke to them with a gentle and patient voice full of love and understanding.
White, 53, was born and raised in Owensboro. A graduate of Owensboro High School, he first walked through the doors of the Boys and Girls Club as a volunteer. Over the years, he has helped shape the lives of countless individuals – some of whom now have children of their own walking through the club’s doors.
“I see different kids come in here all the time,” he said. “Some of them have grown, gotten married, and now they’re sending their kids here.”
A self-described jack-of-all-trades at the club, White bounces from activity to activity. One moment, he’s on the basketball court; the next, he’s in the game room, challenging someone to a round of pool. He greets every child with a smile and, in recent years, a bottle of hand sanitizer. To him, the club has never felt like work.
“It’s really fun,” he said. “But I do go home tired.” White acknowledges that working with kids presents challenges, as some will “give you a run for your money.” However, he has learned that mutual respect goes a long way in building relationships.
“It’s all in the way you talk to them,” he said. “If you respect them, they’ll respect you.”
White has seen the Boys and Girls Club evolve dramatically since he first start-ed. The facility itself has expanded, and technology has changed the way the organization operates. The staff has also grown, with many employees coming from local institutions such as Kentucky Wesleyan College and Brescia University.
Despite the changes, his commitment remains unwavering.
“I’ll keep doing it until I get tired,” he said. “But I’m not tired yet.”
For many former club members, White remains a lasting influence. White is especially proud to talk about one young man, in particular — a former club member who later became a police officer in Owensboro.
“That really made my day (to see him again),” he said. “Some of them stop me in the street and say, ‘Mr. Clay!’ We’ll have a little conversation, and I ask them how they’re doing, how their kids are. It makes me feel like I made a difference.”
Boys and Girls Club CEO Steve Winkler said White’s impact on the organization cannot be overstated.
“Clay is the heart and soul of this place,” Winkler said. “He’s been a mentor, a friend, and a guiding presence for so many kids over the years. His dedication and compassion are what make this club feel like home to so many.”
As White continues his work, he looks forward to meeting new children, seeing old faces return, and playing his part in shaping young lives – just as he has done for the past 34 years.
