About us
Bryant Youth Association exists to make sure every child has a mentor and champion in life.
Our story
Our story began in 2004, when Bryant's community leaders asked Suzanne Passmore to start a safe and positive place for kids. She felt God leading her to serve and saw the work as a mission field.
We started in a small gym on the Bryant Middle School campus with a handful of donations from neighbors who saw that Bryant kids needed a place to go after school. Suzanne partnered with the Bryant School District and the City Council backed the idea. Our first after-school program opened that fall.
For a while we were known as the Bryant Boys and Girls Club. We've since gone back to our original name, Bryant Youth Association, because we're entirely locally led and locally funded.
To ensure every child has a mentor and champion in life.
Behind our doors everyone will find hope & opportunity along their journey.
Our team
Chief Executive Officer
Suzanne answered her community's call in 2004 and has led BYA ever since. She's a Bryant High School and UALR graduate. The Bryant Chamber of Commerce named her Woman of the Year, and the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette named her one of its Twenty To Watch.
Director of Finance, HR & Information Technology
Courtney brings more than two decades of accounting experience, including a decade in the nonprofit world, most recently as Director of Finance at Merkle. She holds a business degree with a concentration in accounting from UALR.
Program Director
Andre started with us in 2018 as a child specialist. He came back as Program Director in 2022 after earning his degree in Recreation and Parks Administration from Arkansas Tech University.
Chief Morale Officer
Champ walked through our doors as a nervous little cub and grew up to be our mascot. Today he's in charge of high-fives, big cheers and making sure every child has a champion in their corner.
Governance
Our volunteer board is made up of Bryant business owners, educators and community leaders.
Pat BakerHonorary Board Member, Baker's Fine Jewelry
Dexter BarksdaleAssistant Principal, Bryant High School
Paige BryantCarter Outdoor Advertising
Selleck ChildressAttorney, Selleck Childress Law
Heather McKimChief Operating Officer, AR Attorney General's Office
Carl MindenChief of Police, Bryant Police Department
Clint ShadwickLoan Officer, First Trust Home Loans
Trevor Villines
The heart of BYA
Long ago, in the warm, welcoming woods near Bryant, a small bear cub named Champ took his first steps through the doors of Bryant Youth Association. Nervous but excited, Champ didn't know what to expect. He just knew he wanted to play, learn, and grow.
From his very first color wars game to his first much-needed chat with his mentor, Champ discovered something special about BYA: he wasn't alone. He didn't just find new friends. He found champions.
Now fully grown, Champ has returned to BYA as our mascot. His mission is simple: to make sure every child at BYA has a champion in their corner, because every child deserves one.
Safety first
Nothing matters more to us than the safety of the kids in our care. We do not tolerate inappropriate behavior of any kind.
Enroll your child, give, volunteer or join our team. There's a place for you here.
