PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact Jodi Martin, Interim Executive Director
(765) 282-4461 ext. 105 or jmartin@bgcmuncie.org
New afterschool program for teenagers at Boys & Girls Club of Muncie
MUNCIE, IN, February 27, 2017 – A first-ever afterschool program focused on teenagers in 6th to 12th grade started Monday at the Boys & Girls Club of Muncie.
For the last few years, the Muncie Club has served teenagers between 6:30 and 9 p.m. Now these students go to the Club directly after school, and will get a healthy snack, homework help, and a full meal for dinner. “This has long been a need in our community,” said Board President James Mitchell. “We couldn’t wait any longer to make this happen.”
Besides a full meal, students will be directly involved in high-yielding learning activities and mentoring with youth development professionals. All programming at the Boys & Girls Club of Muncie is designed to achieve academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles, all pillars of the model for all Boys & Girls Clubs.
The new initiative is designed to put even greater emphasis on safety for Club members. “When kids aren’t in school, they should be at the Club,” said Interim Executive Director Jodi Martin. “The time they have to themselves is time they get distracted and yes, sometimes, they get into trouble. We’re here to make sure that doesn’t happen. The Club is, above all, a safe place.” The Boys & Girls Club is uniquely positioned to provide resources to this under-served demographic in the community. There are just over 270 registered teen-agers at the Club now, representing 30 percent of the entire Club membership.
Club statistic shows that 42% of these Club Kids come from families whose income is less than $15,000 annually. “All kids show up hungry and tired afterschool,” said Martin. “All children – no matter their family position or income – need to be recharged and refocused at the end of a day. That’s what we do best.”
About Boys & Girls Club of Muncie: The Boys & Girls Club of Muncie was founded in 1933. Our mission is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential, as productive, caring and responsible citizens. We provide a safe place to learn and grow; ongoing relationships with caring, adult professionals; life-enhancing programs and character development experiences; and hope and opportunity. You can learn more at www.bgcmuncie.org. For more information, please contact the Boys & Girls Club at frontdesk@bgcmuncie.org or (765) 282-4461.