In a schoolhouse building on Anchors Street in the middle of Industrial Park, laughter and learning blend seamlessly as children of all ages engage in activities designed to help them grow. 

• This is Youth Village, a nonprofit childcare center celebrating its 25th anniversary this September, and the realization of founder Nellie Bogar’s vision to provide a safe, fun, and educational space for local youth.

“When it first started out, which was in September 1999, I just wanted to have a safe place,” Bogar reflected. What began as a simple after-school program has blossomed into a comprehensive childcare center serving children from ages 2 to 12, with a particular focus on those from low-income, single-parent households.

Bogar’s journey to founding Youth Village was unexpected. After a career in real estate, she volunteered with a juvenile probation officer, thinking she would work directly with children. When offered office work instead, Bogar voiced her desire to start an after-school program. With guidance and a grant from the Department of Juvenile Justice, Youth Village was born.

“I started out in real estate when I first got here from New Jersey. Then I decided that I didn’t want to show any more houses. I wanted to work with kids,” Bogar recalled. This desire led her to volunteer at her church, where she met Jimmy James, a juvenile probation officer who would later help her secure the initial grant for Youth Village.

The organization’s growth over the past quarter-century mirrors the changing needs of the community it serves. Initially catering to children aged 10-17, Youth Village expanded its age range as the Department of Juvenile Justice noted children were getting into trouble at increasingly younger ages. 

• Today, the center welcomes toddlers as young as 24 months, recognizing the critical importance of early childhood education.

“We prefer to call these young people ‘untapped’ because being untapped signifies the presence of undiscovered invaluable sources of hidden or suppressed strength or knowledge,” Bogar explained, highlighting the organization’s positive approach to working with what some people might label as “at-risk” youth.

Youth Village’s evolution is perhaps best exemplified by its move in November 2020 to a new 5,000-square-foot facility at 644 Anchors Street Northwest in Fort Walton Beach. This expansion allowed for the incorporation of the Youth Village Preschool Academy for children ages 3-5, broadening the center’s impact on early childhood development.

The journey to the new facility was not without challenges. “When I first came in and saw this building, it was a mess,” Bogar shared. However, with the help of community partners, including the Building Industry Association of Okaloosa-Walton Counties and the Red Horse Squadron, the building was transformed into a welcoming space for children and families.

Valerie Bogar, Nellie’s daughter and Youth Village’s director, spearheaded the creation of the Preschool Academy. 

• “We call it the Academy because we’re licensed and have a real curriculum, which is approved by the Florida State of Education,” Nellie Bogar explained. The curriculum focuses not just on academic skills, but also on social, emotional, and cognitive development.

The center’s approach to education is holistic and engaging. “We’re trying to teach the kids that learning is fun,” Bogar said. From reading circles to character development sessions, every activity is designed to nurture the children’s growth. Even the youngest learners are assessed, though they may not realize it as they play and explore.

Youth Village’s impact extends beyond the children to their families. The organization provides food assistance by way of Destin Harvest, hosts events like the annual Friendsgiving lunch, and offers parenting guidance. Bogar often finds herself becoming a mother figure not just to the children, but to their parents as well.

• “I try to teach the parents how important little moments are,” Bogar said, recounting instances where she’s encouraged parents to put down their phones and engage with their children. “Take a moment. I know you’re busy but take a minute to be present. Even while you’re cooking or whatever you’re doing, have your child sit at the table and read to you while you’re cooking.”

This emphasis on family engagement and holistic support sets Youth Village apart. The center isn’t just child care, but a community of support for families who may be struggling. Two stories stick out to Bogar immediately when reflecting on Youth Village’s impact locally.

The first story involves a transformative trip to New York City. In 2012, Youth Village won a grant from Southwest Airlines, receiving 40 round-trip tickets to New York as part of the airline’s 40th anniversary celebration. “Most of these kids hadn’t even left Okaloosa County,” Bogar recalled. 

• She shared a touching moment from the trip: “We had these two little boys, they were brothers ages 7 & 9, and they had never been on a trip anywhere. As we were on the plane going down the runway, the boys started screaming and hollering, they said, ‘we’re flying!’ They were crying and hugging each other. And we were only on the runway, we weren’t even in the air yet.”

The second story demonstrates Youth Village’s commitment to supporting families through difficult times. Bogar recounted a situation involving a father with four children – three girls and an older boy. The family came to Youth Village’s attention when one of the girls had an asthma attack on the school bus. Shortly after, Bogar learned that the children’s mother had recently passed away. 

“About three days later, there was a story in the newspaper. This man with his children. I said, “I know these children,” Bogar said. In response, Youth Village offered free care for all three of the man’s younger children. “I told the father that all three of your children are here free for as long as you want it,” Bogar explained. 

• The family stayed with Youth Village for about six years, receiving much-needed support during a challenging time.

As Youth Village looks to the future, it faces both opportunities and challenges. The center is licensed to serve up to 110 children but currently enrolls about 60 due to staffing limitations. “We need another teacher but we can’t afford another teacher,” Bogar explained, highlighting the ongoing need for financial support.

To address these needs and ensure the organization’s sustainability, Youth Village has launched a capital campaign. The “Help Us Grow Our Village” initiative offers naming rights for classrooms and other spaces within the center. This campaign aims to raise funds for operations, expand services, and potentially open another Youth Village location in the future.

In celebration of its 25th anniversary, Youth Village is hosting a Community Circus Event in September. This free event will feature activities for all ages, including games, karaoke, face painting, and more. Local organizations like the Early Learning Coalition and Children’s Volunteer Health Network will be present, offering resources and gifts for attendees.

• “It’s going to be fun. Everything is free,” Bogar enthused about the event. “We’re going to have somebody on stilts, face painting, games, a food truck, entertainment, live music, arts and crafts, and karaoke.”

The organization is seeking sponsors for this event to help cover costs and ensure its success. Similarly, Youth Village’s fourth annual Friendsgiving lunch, scheduled for November at The Island Resort, offers another opportunity for community support and engagement.

“We do provide the food for the families and then in November we have our Friendsgiving lunch. We’re having our fourth annual Friendsgiving lunch at The Island Resort on Okaloosa Island,” Bogar explained. “This is all free for them too. So that’s another fundraiser we’ll be doing later on.”

Throughout its growth and changes, Youth Village has maintained its core mission of providing a nurturing environment for children who might otherwise lack such support. Bogar’s hiring philosophy encapsulates this commitment: “You have to care about these kids. I don’t care if you have your doctorate. You have to care for these kids or you can’t stay here.”

The challenges facing the families served by Youth Village have evolved over the years. Bogar noted that mothers are getting younger and younger, with many having no formal education. These challenges make Youth Village’s work all the more crucial. “We help as much as possible. That’s why we’re always trying to raise money for partial scholarships,” Bogar explained.

As Youth Village celebrates 25 years of service, Bogar’s hope for the future is clear: “I want to see Youth Village replicated and expanded to other areas who need help, and to find the right people for those kids too.”

The organization invites community members to support its mission, not just through financial contributions, but also by sharing their time and talents. 

• “Whatever you have to offer, whatever your ‘gift’ is, bring it to us,” Bogar encouraged. “It’s not always money. It could be coming and talking to the kids about whatever your job is. We recently had Sheriff Eric Aden here and the fire department has also come out. If your talent is arts and crafts, come on and teach the kids arts and crafts.”

From its humble beginnings as an after-school program to its current status as a comprehensive childcare center, Youth Village has touched the lives of nearly 3,000 children over the past 25 years. Like those excited boys on their first flight, Youth Village continues to soar, lifting children and families to new heights of opportunity and growth. 

As it looks to the future, the organization remains committed to its founding principle: providing a safe place, a fun place, a learning place – a place where kids can spread their wings and fly. With each passing year, Youth Village helps more children realize their potential, echoing that joyful cry of “We’re flying!” as they rise above challenges and reach for their dreams. 

• As it embarks on its next 25 years, Youth Village is poised to help even more children take flight, ensuring that the sky is truly the limit for the youth of Fort Walton Beach.

For more information about Youth Village, its upcoming events, or ways to support its mission, interested individuals can visit www.ouryouthvillage.org or contact Nellie Bogar at nellie@ouryouthvillage.org.