5 years later, Gulf Coast executives look back at managing through COVID

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Freddy Williams

President and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay 

How did you adjust for the realities of the pandemic?

The pandemic challenged us to reimagine how we serve youth. We kept our clubs open while most youth serving nonprofits closed their doors. We provided stability, launched digital programs to reach those in need, expanded meal distribution, and prioritized meaningful connections between youth and caring adults.

Beyond our immediate response efforts, we enhanced our resilience through annual scenario planning. This proved critical during recent hurricanes, as we partnered with school districts throughout the Tampa Bay region to open bounce-back camps, providing thousands of children with a safe, stable environment while parents prepared and schools transitioned into shelters.

In the aftermath, we continued supporting families by offering childcare for first responders, working families, and distributed meals to impacted communities.

The pandemic underscored the disparities in low-income communities, reinforcing our commitment to building a more resilient generation equipped with the skills and support to break the cycle of poverty. In response, we expanded our existing workforce readiness programs, enhanced our mental health resources, and strengthened our academic interventions to zero in on grade level reading.

What was the best decision you made during that time? 

One of the shifts we made during COVID was embracing flexibility — both for our team and the kids we serve. We moved to a hybrid work model, making sure our staff could be efficient while staying deeply connected to our mission. At the same time, we expanded virtual programming so kids and teens could continue learning and connecting with mentors, even beyond club walls.

What started as a response to a crisis became a lasting improvement.

Five years later, our team still benefits from a flex schedule that supports work-life balance, and our virtual club, Club Re-Imagine, continues to provide meaningful experiences for kids in new and innovative ways.

Originally Posted: Mar. 26, 2025 | Louis Llovio