New director takes the helm at Bryant Clubs
The Bryant Boys & Girls Clubs has selected a new director of operations.
Jason Whittington took over the role at the end of 2020.
He explained the Clubs is not a babysitter.
“It is a place to come for kids who need structure, who need support,” Whittington said, adding that the Clubs are important for its members.
Whittington is originally from Bryant and graduated from Bauxite High School. He double majored in accounting and finance at Arkansas State College.
He said he has done everything in finance. His first job after college was in banking. He went on to work for Trent Finances, which also houses Absolute Athletics. While there, he was able to work with children. He joked in that job he “wore a lot of hats.”
After that he was a corporate accountant for AXPM, an business that owned dental offices.
When he left that position, he stayed home with his children for a few months. In April of 2020, his family purchased a home in Bryant where Whittington could walk his children to school.
Whittington has been married to his wife Sarah for 15 years. They have three children, Turner, 12, Laney, 9 and Miller,
As a member of Crosspoint Church in Bryant, Whittington got involved in the church’s project to create a park.
He actually had another offer, but he felt led to work with children.
Whittington is a member of the Bryant Parks Committee. Parks Director Chris Treat reached out to him about the Clubs director job because he felt Whittington would be a good fit for the role. He made the connection with the Clubs for Whittington.
He sees his role as day to day operations of the the Clubs.
He also believes his job is to set the staff and members up for success. He wants to mentor them and get involved with him.
He understands for many of the staff members, this is their first job. He remembers his own first job and the mistakes he made. He said he was not given much direction.
Before returning to Bryant, he lived in Maumelle and West Little Rock.
“It feels nice to come back and get involved,” he said.
For now, he not looking to make too big a splash with new changes. If things don’t need to be changed, he wants to keep them the same.
He believes the pandemic has actually caused some improvements in the structure of how they work with the members. He said the goal is always to keep them safe.
Currently, members are kept in small groups and work in small groups. He likes how that gives them more of a chance to really get to know the staff and each other.
Once the Clubs are able to return to more normal operations, Whittington really wants to bring in unique programs such as a garden and STEM programs.
He also wants to incorporate more leadership opportunities for the members. He also wants to involve community and business leaders in the Clubs. He really wants to build up the community around the Clubs.
Whittington’s two younger children attend the Clubs. His older son doesn’t attend because, due to COVID they are not taking middle schoolers. He said his children love the Clubs.
“The best measure of success is how your kids enjoy it,” he said.
About himself, Whittington loves sports, especially baseball. He loves going to games. He enjoys Bryant sports.
He also loves his family time. His walks with children to school are special to him.
About the Clubs, he wants the community to know it is a great way to give back. For now, the Clubs is accepting donations of money and snacks for the children. When things get back to normal, he really wants the community to be more involved.
Even if people only make small donations, he feels that it is important to really get the community’s buy-in for the Clubs.
People can call the Clubs or stop by the Bishop Park location to make donations.