During her career in corrections as a prison warden, Selma native Constance Reese felt something needed to be done to put children on the right path.

When she retired after 28 years, Reese said she vowed to take two years off and find a new way to give back. Now, in 2012, Reese hopes to launch a Boys and Girls Club in Selma.

“Twenty eight years ago I asked what was my purpose in life and was led to prison,” she said. “I saw so many young people coming in and out, and as the years went by they became younger and younger. My goal in life is to make sure we do everything we can to prevent our young people from entering the criminal justice system.”

Reese said she noticed there are Boys and Girls Clubs all over the state, but not in Selma. The clubs have had a positive impact on their respective communities and feels a club could do the same in Dallas County.

Reese said young women are especially vulnerable to turning to crime. A club, she said, could teach them a better way.

“Women are the fastest growing inmate population in this country, especially African American women,” she said. “We’re already seeing African American boys in the prison system. We have to do something in the community.”

Reese stressed the Boys and Girls Club as a community program and said she has met with Selma Mayor George Evans and other leaders to get the ball rolling.

National and regional representatives of the Boys and Girls Club will come to Selma soon to discuss grants and funding at a later date and answer any questions the community might have, Reese said.

Reese, who is a product of Selma, said she wants to give every child a chance to have — and fulfill — his or her dreams.

“I think this is the greatest thing we can do for our community, and I would like to ask for your support,” she said. “I am willing to donate my time to bring this to fruition. I have a passion for it and I certainly have the time. I just want to make sure every child has the opportunity to do what I have done.”

Reese said she will provide more information about meetings and the process of opening the club as times goes on.