For
the Boys & Girls
Clubs of Metro Spartanburg in South Carolina, working
well with the school
system isn't
just a good idea; it’s essential for their survival. That’s
because, in Spartanburg, the Club is the school system’s
after-school program, both literally and programmatically.
The Clubs do not operate any stand-alone facilities, and are exclusively
located in schools. Each day, Clubs serve some 850 students through
seven school-based Club units and 13 homework centers. The Clubs
also provide programming that is not available in schools.
"Schools are not set up to cover character and leadership
development, health and life skills, the arts, or even sports,
fitness and recreation, especially on the elementary school level,"
says Greg Tolbert, executive director of the Spartanburg Clubs.
"Together, Clubs and schools are able to give kids a more well-rounded
education."
Providing a safe haven for youth is equally important. Spartanburg
has a relatively low per capita income, and the kids served by
the Clubs generally live in neighborhoods where they are at much
higher risk than many of their peers.
According to Tolbert, 70 percent are from single-parent households,
and 90 percent receive free or reduced-price lunches.
Moreover, the sheriff’s department reports that 70 percent
of Club kids live in a “hot point of crime” and that
half live within walking distance of a registered sex offender.
“We’re able to fill the gaps for parents who live
in depressed, crime-ridden communities and don’t have enough
resources,” says Tolbert, adding that children are most likely
to be victims of crime in the after-school hours.
By giving children a safe place during the most dangerous time
of day at a very low cost – just $5 a year – the Clubs
are helping families improve their economic standing. In fact,
a staggering 87 percent of parents say they are able to hold a
job because of services provided by the Boys & Girls Clubs.
Most importantly, Club members are learning to enjoy school more
and bringing home better grades. Tolbert relayed a touching story
about twin boys who displayed significant discipline issues when
they first entered the Club, but have shown vast improvement thanks
to the support and encouragement they found there.
“Because of the Club, those boys will survive and they will
be productive citizens,” he says, adding, “Their lives
are changed forever.”
