Bessard is new Abbeville Boys & Girls Club director

There is a is a new face overseeing the Boys & Girls Club in Abbeville, albeit a familiar one.
Kimberly Bessard is the new director of the local club, which is located at A.A. Comeaux Park. She has been with the club for several years.
Bessard recently attended an Abbeville City Council meeting to introduce herself to local officials. Councilwoman Terry Broussard invited Bessard to the meeting.
“I was born and raised here,” Bessard said proudly.
Bessard said the club’s after-school program and summer program are a main focus. The after school program is from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Mondays through Fridays. The summer program is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. These programs are a focus because it allows the club to focus on what is really important.
“We service the kids who need us most,” Bessard said. “Whoever needs us at that time, that’s who we serve in the community.”
The Abbeville club is one of seven under the Boys & Girls Club of Acadiana. Bessard said some of the board members recently visited Abbeville to see where upgrades and improvements could be made at the facility.
“They are some things that have been in there since the 1990s,” Bessard said.
Among the older items are photos that show large numbers of kids who have taken part in the club. Bessard said those photos can serve as an inspiration.
“We want to grow the club,” Bessard said. “I see those photos and say that is what we want to get back to. We want to bring that back to the community.”
A few years ago, then Abbeville Director Brian Ford asked Bessard where she wanted to be in five years.
“I told him I wanted to have his position,” Bessard said.
Ford, who is now the director of development at the main office in Lafayette, said he is pleased that Bessard does now have his position.
“I am excited to pass the reins to Kimberly,” Ford said. “Her past experience in working with youth along with her enthusiasm makes her an asset to the Boys & Girls Club and this community. I look forward to supporting Kimberly as the new Director and will still be involved from a resource development standpoint ensuring the club continues to garner the necessary resources to operate and grow to serve more youth.”
Broussard said she is excited to see what Bessard can do.
“I just want you to know that we are here for you,” Broussard said.
Bessard is ready to work with anyone and everyone for the sake of the kids who attend the Boys & Girls Club in Abbeville.
“If you want to come by and visit,” Bessard said, “please, come by and visit. I am listening. I am talking to a lot of the parents in the community to see what we need to grow the Boys & Girls Club.”