Celebrating Three Decades of Transforming Young Lives Through Boys and Girls of Summer Programs

The College of Coastal Georgia and local community partners recently celebrated another successful year of the Boys of Summer and Girls of Summer programs at an annual breakfast event. The celebration brought together community partners, campus members, and student participants to recognize the continued achievements of the program.

For more than three decades, the Boys of Summer program—and since 2017, the Girls of Summer program—has changed the lives of youth in the region. The free summer academic enrichment programs serve at-risk rising 6th and 7th graders from Glynn County. The initiative is designed to boost academic skills and cultivate confidence, leadership, and a belief in future success. Originally launched in the early 90s to address low graduation rates among local young men, Boys of Summer has grown into a celebrated, long-running effort. Based on its success, the Girls of Summer program was created to expand opportunities to young women in the community.

Dr. Jason Umfress, vice president for student affairs and enrollment management at the College, shared with attendees that in 2025, 27 middle school boys and 31 middle school girls improved their math skills by 60% and their reading skills by 22% over the course of three weeks. Students also learned from more than 27 community leaders about citizenship, financial literacy, mental health and well-being, and other topics.

“But most importantly, they learned that they matter. That they are seen. That they are valued. That their place in this community—and in this world—is important,” Umfress said. “Even if we added up every one of those numbers, we still could not measure the true impact this program has had on the lives of these young people.”

Girls of Summer participant Chloe Richardson shares what she learned in the summer program and its benefits.

A Girls of Summer graduate, Chloe Richardson, shared her experience and spoke about the program’s lasting importance. Attendees also heard from representatives of partnering organizations: Glynn County Schools Superintendent Mike Blackerby; Dr. Marty Simmons, president of the Fourteen Black Men of Glynn; and Links, Inc. Vice President Sharon Blue Lee. The College also recognized its new partnership with Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia, which provided meals for participating students throughout the program.

Glynn County Schools Superintendent Mike Blackerby speaks about the student impact of the summer programs.

The College announced the launch of the Summer Pathways Challenge, a fundraising initiative with a goal of raising $90,000 to support the program’s operation for the next three years. A generous donor has committed to matching gifts up to $30,000, with Live Oak Fiber contributing the first matching gift of $5,000.

College President Dr. Johnny L. Evans Jr. emphasized that the Boys of Summer and Girls of Summer programs are transformational for students and made possible entirely through community generosity.

“Today, we are asking you to join us, to invest, to match this generosity and to help us meet—and exceed—this challenge,” Evans said. “Because when we invest in these students, we are not just funding a program. We are funding potential. We are funding belief. We are funding the future of this community.”

This past summer, the College created and awarded the inaugural Lavern B. Cooper Legacy Awards in honor of Cooper, who helped launch what would become the Boys of Summer program 33 years ago. The Legacy Award recognizes students who demonstrate exceptional leadership among their peers.

“For 33 years, this community has chosen to go far—together,” Umfress said. “Today, we take the next step to ensure that when next summer comes, and the summer after that, and the summer after that, these young people will still have a place on this campus where they are seen, supported and told that they matter.”

To learn more about the Boys of Summer and Girls of Summer programs and the Summer Pathways Challenge, visit www.ccga.edu/campuslife/belonging/summer-pathways.