The town of Akron is a small town of 540 residents that is just inside Hale County. Many of the towns people work in Tuscaloosa, which is a 30-minute drive from Akron. As a result many of the children’s parents are unable to be home when school is let out at 3, leaving many of the kids to fend for themselves during that time.

The need for a boys and girls club stems from conditions such as these and with nearly 440 kids going to school in Akron there is certainly a clear user group. With the support of the community the club with seek to better the lives of the town’s children and those in surrounding communities by offering them a reliable place to spend time after school that facilitates the development of each child into responsible adults.

The Akron Boys and Girls Club was originally a Rural Studio project during the 00-01 year. Due to uncontrollable circumstances it never housed the program it was intended for. The building was built around the shell of an existing structure, which was owned by a local citizen. The building was not owned by the city and was therefore not able to be operated by the national Boys and Girls Club of America and soon after lost its initial funding. At this point the building is being occupied by local printmaker, Amos Kennedy, who runs his print shop out of the building.

Due to the unfortunate fate of the first boys and girls club the town of Akron and the Rural Studio have acknowledged the pressing need for a program such as the boys and girls club and have asked us to work on a new club for the city. The newest iteration of the Akron Boys and Girls Club is located in the heart of Akron, and close proximity to the original club. The new club is an approximately 6000 square foot facility that houses a classroom, rec room, and covered basketball court. With the support of the students who built the original club and the town of Akron, we hope to provide a working boys and girls club that is a benefit to the community and its children.