Our Story
For more than 55 years, The Winner’s Club of Calhoun, Inc. has been providing hope, encouragement, and opportunities to children and youth in Gordon County.
Since 1969, we have served disadvantaged and at-risk children and youth, ages 5–21. Many of the Winners we serve face mental, physical, emotional, behavioral, or family challenges that can affect their confidence, development, and success in school and in life.
The Winner’s Club began in 1969 when a Boy Scout troop was established to provide opportunities for physically and mentally challenged boys in Gordon County. Within the first year, the program expanded to include girls with similar challenges. As we learned more about the needs of children and families in our community, our mission grew to include children who had experienced abuse, as well as those facing behavioral and other life challenges.
Today, The Winner’s Club provides a caring and supportive community where children can learn, grow, build confidence, and discover their strengths. Through mentoring, individualized tutoring, self-esteem building, family support, community involvement, and personal growth opportunities, we help each Winner recognize their potential and know that they matter.
Our programs have changed and grown over the years, but our commitment has remained the same: to give every child the support and opportunity they need to succeed.
Everyone Can Be a Winner at Something!
Our Mission
To create a caring community for children with or at risk of physical, mental, or behavioral challenges and/or abuse, and to reinforce the social values of the family structure.
Winner’s Personal Growth
Growth focuses on helping each Winner become the best they can be. Through individualized tutoring, mentoring, character-building lessons, self-esteem activities, sign language lessons, leadership opportunities, and lessons in responsibility and respect, we help our Winners grow academically, socially, emotionally, and personally.
Tutoring Program
Tutoring is an important part of helping our Winners succeed in school and build confidence in their abilities. We provide individualized academic support to help children understand their schoolwork, complete homework, strengthen skills, and overcome challenges. Our tutoring includes subjects such as math, reading, writing, science, social studies, geography, and history. By providing patient, one-on-one support in a caring environment, we help each Winner recognize their strengths, gain confidence, and reach their full potential.
Enrichment
Enrichment gives our Winners opportunities to explore new interests, experience new activities, and discover talents they may not know they have. Examples include art and creative projects, STEM activities, bowling, pickleball, swimming, movies, educational outings, and other special experiences. These activities make learning fun while exposing children to opportunities beyond their everyday lives.
Service
Service teaches our Winners the importance of caring for others and giving back to their community. Winners may participate in activities such as visiting nursing homes, making cards or other items to hand out to others, writing letters to service members, helping with Club activities, and participating in other acts of kindness. Giving back also helps build self-esteem as our Winners discover that they have something meaningful to offer and can make a positive difference in the lives of others.
Mentoring
Although a winner is mentored throughout their time at The Winner’s Club. The club has two designated “fun” nights where the children have an opportunity to engage in structured games, craft activities, music lessons, and immersive learning experiences. During that club time, each winner has an opportunity to interact with our director, volunteers, and peer mentors. It is The Winner’s Club philosophy that each child can be a winner at something. Exposing the winners to different activities helps the club identify a child’s strengths so they can be developed. Mentoring also includes helping our winners master the character traits necessary to become good citizens. The club nights also foster opportunities for the winners to use good social skills as they learn to interact with others positively.
Tutoring Program