rimalicious
Aug 05, 2008, 07:37 AM
Boys & Girls Club to reopen
Officials say club will open by the end of the year
By Elizabeth Gabriel
(Updated: Friday, August 01, 2008, 6:13 PM)
Officials of the Boys & Girls Club of Oakhurst (the group has changed the name from the Harry H. Baker Boys & Girls Club) say the club will reopen before the end of 2008.
Recent fundraising on several fronts, including the run for Oakhurst honorary mayor by Mathew Sands, has swelled the bank account, and other steps have been taken that make board members confident.
Club President Roberta Tackett said the Oakhurst club will be working more closely with the Fresno club. The staff there is a regional office for 15 clubs throughout the region. With assistance from Fresno's staff, she said, operating expenses have been audited and analyzed and are projected to be reduced to $9,000 per month, down from $12,000 to $15,000 per month in 2007.
Part of that savings is projected by using fewer paid staff. Board secretary Rima Runtzel said salaries made up the biggest part of the local club's expenses.
But she said it is time to stop talking about money and start talking about what is really important about the club: How much it does for the children from 6 to 18 years who use it year-round. The club has been serving about 400 boys and girls a year.
What it does
New board member Doug Macaulay said, "In order for community members to recognize what a good investment he club is, they need to know what it does."
Its overseers say the club is a nonprofit "youth development organization dedicated to promoting the educational, vocational, health, leadership and character of boys and girls in a safe, nurturing environment. The club provides more than a safe, fun and constructive alternative to being home alone, it offers a variety of award-winning developmental programs to help youth build skills, self-esteem and values during critical periods of growth."
Here are the core programs listed:
Character and leadership development.
Goal: Helping youth become responsible, caring citizens and acquire skills for participating in the democratic process; develop leadership skills and provide opportunities for planning, decision-making, contributing to club and community, and celebrating our national heritage.
Education and career development.
Goal: Help youth develop aspirations for the future, providing opportunities for career exploration and educational enhancement. Includes homework assistance, tutoring, setting educational goals.
Health and life skills.
Goal: Develop young people's capacity to engage in positive behaviors that nurture their own well-being, set personal goals and live successfully as self-sufficient adults. Includes prevention programs, safety lessons, responsibility training.
The arts.
Goal: Develop creativity and cultural awareness through knowledge and appreciation of the visual arts, crafts, performing arts and creative writing.
Sports, fitness and recreation.
Goal: Develop fitness, positive use of leisure time, skills for stress management, appreciation for the environment and social skills.
Technology and specialty initiatives.
Goal: Create awareness and help kids gain access to technology.
Program planning and evaluation.
Goal: Help club professionals develop, implement, evaluate and improve club programming and maximize the beneficial, long-term impact they have on young people.
Other ways it helps
The after-school hours are the most dangerous time for young people, Boys & Girls Club officials said. From 3 to 8 p.m., children are more likely to commit or be the victims of a crime.
Madera County Sheriff John Anderson said he often hears kids have noting to do after school in Oakhurst.
"Latchkey kids tend to get into more trouble with a lack of supervision after school," he said.
A dispatch from the club of Oakhurst stated that children who attend after-school programs are less likely to use drugs, alcohol, tobacco or engage in other risky behavior.
The press release stated children in programs are more likely to get better grades and to graduate from high school.
"Our staff provides our club members with he positive adult guidance they need." said Sheyla Cook, a former staff member. "For many kids, all they want is someone to listen and to care. And that's what clubs do best: let kids know that someone cares," she said.
To make a pledge or get involved, visit www.supportbgclub.com or contact Runtzel at (559) 642-0313.
Officials say club will open by the end of the year
By Elizabeth Gabriel
(Updated: Friday, August 01, 2008, 6:13 PM)
Officials of the Boys & Girls Club of Oakhurst (the group has changed the name from the Harry H. Baker Boys & Girls Club) say the club will reopen before the end of 2008.
Recent fundraising on several fronts, including the run for Oakhurst honorary mayor by Mathew Sands, has swelled the bank account, and other steps have been taken that make board members confident.
Club President Roberta Tackett said the Oakhurst club will be working more closely with the Fresno club. The staff there is a regional office for 15 clubs throughout the region. With assistance from Fresno's staff, she said, operating expenses have been audited and analyzed and are projected to be reduced to $9,000 per month, down from $12,000 to $15,000 per month in 2007.
Part of that savings is projected by using fewer paid staff. Board secretary Rima Runtzel said salaries made up the biggest part of the local club's expenses.
But she said it is time to stop talking about money and start talking about what is really important about the club: How much it does for the children from 6 to 18 years who use it year-round. The club has been serving about 400 boys and girls a year.
What it does
New board member Doug Macaulay said, "In order for community members to recognize what a good investment he club is, they need to know what it does."
Its overseers say the club is a nonprofit "youth development organization dedicated to promoting the educational, vocational, health, leadership and character of boys and girls in a safe, nurturing environment. The club provides more than a safe, fun and constructive alternative to being home alone, it offers a variety of award-winning developmental programs to help youth build skills, self-esteem and values during critical periods of growth."
Here are the core programs listed:
Character and leadership development.
Goal: Helping youth become responsible, caring citizens and acquire skills for participating in the democratic process; develop leadership skills and provide opportunities for planning, decision-making, contributing to club and community, and celebrating our national heritage.
Education and career development.
Goal: Help youth develop aspirations for the future, providing opportunities for career exploration and educational enhancement. Includes homework assistance, tutoring, setting educational goals.
Health and life skills.
Goal: Develop young people's capacity to engage in positive behaviors that nurture their own well-being, set personal goals and live successfully as self-sufficient adults. Includes prevention programs, safety lessons, responsibility training.
The arts.
Goal: Develop creativity and cultural awareness through knowledge and appreciation of the visual arts, crafts, performing arts and creative writing.
Sports, fitness and recreation.
Goal: Develop fitness, positive use of leisure time, skills for stress management, appreciation for the environment and social skills.
Technology and specialty initiatives.
Goal: Create awareness and help kids gain access to technology.
Program planning and evaluation.
Goal: Help club professionals develop, implement, evaluate and improve club programming and maximize the beneficial, long-term impact they have on young people.
Other ways it helps
The after-school hours are the most dangerous time for young people, Boys & Girls Club officials said. From 3 to 8 p.m., children are more likely to commit or be the victims of a crime.
Madera County Sheriff John Anderson said he often hears kids have noting to do after school in Oakhurst.
"Latchkey kids tend to get into more trouble with a lack of supervision after school," he said.
A dispatch from the club of Oakhurst stated that children who attend after-school programs are less likely to use drugs, alcohol, tobacco or engage in other risky behavior.
The press release stated children in programs are more likely to get better grades and to graduate from high school.
"Our staff provides our club members with he positive adult guidance they need." said Sheyla Cook, a former staff member. "For many kids, all they want is someone to listen and to care. And that's what clubs do best: let kids know that someone cares," she said.
To make a pledge or get involved, visit www.supportbgclub.com or contact Runtzel at (559) 642-0313.