The Boys & Girls Club of South Central Kansas has partnered with Wichita State to help the community’s future Shockers.

The club has three major goals, said Juston White, chief professional officer for Wichita’s Boys & Girls Club:

• Motivate club members to graduate high school with a plan.

• Become good citizens who give back to their communities.

• Encourage students to lead a healthy lifestyle.

Another goal is to teach students about post secondary education, which the partnership will assist with, White said.

On Sept. 2, WSU’s Student Government Association passed a resolution to create a partnership between the university and the club through an initiative called “Wichita State Inspire.” The initiative gives WSU students the chance to mentor children in the club and educate them about the university.

 “We want our kids to be more engaged with just the idea of post secondary education,” White said. “I want kids to understand that college is obtainable for them.”

The club’s mission is to “enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens,” according to the club’s website.

The club operates its activities daily from 2:30 to 6 p.m. An all-day program goes from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the summer.

“When school is out, we’re in,” White said.

Student Body President Joseph Shepard said the initiative is another opportunity for WSU to participate in the community. He said the club serves Wichita City Council District One, located in northeast Wichita, which he said primarily consists of low-income residents.

As a district resident, Shepard said he is able to see what those children want out of higher education.

“They want to know what resources and tools are available to them, but often times, they don’t have an individual in front of their face giving them the information they needed in order to succeed and reach that higher education,” he said. “This program is going to allow us to do that.”

White said there are no specific plans yet as to what the initiative will require of the club and university, but club members will meet with SGA representatives in the near future to discuss partnership details.

“What we’ve identified is that the student body wants to get more involved with the community,” White said.

As a WSU alumnus who played basketball for the Shockers, he said he knows the resources the university has to offer.

 “They can see someone like themselves who are college students and ask them questions and just providing that positive influence,” White said. “I think that will be major for our kids.”