Visiblemen

Due to lack of funding and falling memberships there have been a number of unfortunate closings of Boys and Girls Clubs across the country.

The impact of these closings has yet to be felt but there will certainly be a negative impact on many of our young people.

Some of you may be wondering what the big deal is, that the Boys and Girls Club is dying a natural death due to lack of interest. If the role that the Boys and Girls Club played is inherited by schools, as is suggested in a recent article about the closings then I agree – no big deal. If not, it’s a really big deal.

There is a long list of students and family who participate in the activities offered at the Boys and Girls Club. It’s a real pipeline and support center for these kids and their families and has become ‘the’ brand for anything community related, from basketball to counselling, soccer to camps.

Even if the schools ‘inherit’ the Boys and Girls Club activities that doesn’t guarantee success. To ensure the success of these community programs there would need to be a systematic and philosophical change within the school system.  The current school infrastructure poses real problems. If you or someone you know is affected by these closures what can you do?

Volunteer – There’s been a reduction in the number of personnel but the tasks haven’t gone away – just the resources that supported the people who performed them. By volunteering a few hours of your time in the evening or on weekends you can fill in that gap.

Voice your dismay – It may not stop the closings, but it gives a voice to the children who aren’t being heard, and they’re the ones who have the most at stake in the end.