In 2021, Shaquille O’Neal’s foundation helped transform a former Georgia middle school into a Boys and Girls Club designed to give local children and teenagers a safe place to learn, create and grow. The Shaquille O’Neal Boys and Girls Club of Henry County opened in August after a $1.1 million renovation of the former Henry County Middle School, according to The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation. Within its first year, the centre had registered more than 400 young members, turning an unused school building into a busy community hub for Henry County families.The project was more than a celebrity donation. It grew out of a three-year community engagement effort led by a local advisory board, with support from Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta, the City of McDonough, Henry County, the Henry County Board of Education and other partners. For O’Neal, the cause was personal: he said the Boys and Girls Club had provided a safe space for him while he was growing up and helped shape who he became.
A former school finds a new purpose
The club occupies the former Henry County Middle School, a building that was given a $1.1 million renovation before it opened to local children and teenagers. Rather than demolishing or leaving the property idle, the project repurposed the space into facilities designed for education, recreation and creative development.The renovated centre includes a learning centre, computer lab, arts and crafts centre, music studio, game room, multipurpose room, outdoor garden and gym. That mix reflects the broader Boys and Girls Club approach, which combines academic support with activities that encourage confidence, teamwork and healthy habits.For families in Henry County, the opening filled an important gap. Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta said the club was launched as a community response to a critical need at a crucial time, providing a safe, inclusive and engaging environment during the hours when young people may otherwise lack structured support.
Shaq’s $1 million commitment
The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation committed $1 million to the project, with additional support from partners including The Papa John’s Foundation for Building Community. Those resources helped make the renovation and opening possible, alongside contributions from Boys and Girls Clubs of America and local government and education partners.The foundation, established in 2019 by the NBA Hall of Famer, television sports analyst and entrepreneur, describes its mission as creating pathways for underserved youth and helping them reach their full potential. Its work is primarily focused on partnerships with Boys and Girls Clubs and Communities In Schools in Atlanta and Las Vegas.O’Neal’s connection to the cause gave the project particular visibility. At the club’s first-anniversary celebration in July 2022, he said he was proud to help create similar pathways to success for children in Henry County, echoing the role that a Boys and Girls Club had played in his own life.
More than 400 members in one year
The results came quickly. By the time the club marked its first anniversary, it had more than 400 registered members, according to Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta and The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation. That level of participation showed that the demand for youth programming in the area was substantial.The anniversary event brought together youth members, parents, community partners and corporate supporters. It began with a musical performance by club members and ended with a special presentation to O’Neal from the Torch Club, a youth leadership group within the Boys and Girls Club movement.David Jernigan, president and chief executive of Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta, said the club had helped ignite the potential of hundreds of Henry County children and teenagers in its first year. Jim Clark, president and chief executive of Boys and Girls Clubs of America, also praised the project and said the organisation looked forward to expanding its impact for more young people and families.
Why safe spaces matter
Youth development organisations often focus on the hours outside school, when children and teenagers may be unsupervised or without access to enrichment activities. A club can offer homework help, technology access, sports, arts programming and mentoring in one place, while also giving parents a reliable community resource.The Henry County club’s facilities were designed with that in mind. A computer lab and learning centre support academic work, while the music studio, arts and crafts centre, gym and outdoor garden give young people different ways to explore interests and build relationships.The club is led by Executive Director Jesse Coltrane, Program Director Jamal Jordan and Teen Director Breanna Varner. At the time of the anniversary, registration was open for fall membership, and Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta placed particular emphasis on reaching teenagers.
A wider network of support
The Henry County club is part of a larger system. Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta operates 26 clubs across 11 counties in metropolitan Atlanta and has traditionally served nearly 8,000 children and teenagers aged 6 to 18 each year. Its programs focus on academic success, healthy lifestyles, character and leadership.The organisation also runs Camp Kiwanis, a 160-acre outdoor residence camp. Together, these programs aim to provide consistent support during critical non-school hours, especially for young people who may face barriers to after-school activities, tutoring or safe recreational spaces.The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation’s involvement fits into that wider network. In addition to its club partnerships, the foundation supports initiatives such as O’Neal’s annual Shaq-a-Claus holiday event and projects alongside corporate partners.
A lasting community investment
The transformation of the former Henry County Middle School shows how a vacant or repurposed public building can become a lasting community asset. A $1.1 million renovation created more than classrooms and a gym; it created a place where hundreds of young people could find structure, encouragement and opportunity.Within a year, more than 400 children and teenagers had registered at the Shaquille O’Neal Boys and Girls Club of Henry County. For O’Neal, the project reflected a simple idea drawn from his own experience: that a safe, supportive space can change the direction of a young person’s life.