As they prepare for summer, Boys & Girls Club will address critical issues facing youth

The Boys & Girls Club will reopen for the 2020 summer season, with a modified structure to meet current safety guidelines. As in years past, the program will focus on preventing summer learning loss, closing opportunity gaps and supportive relationships. Now, efforts on those fronts have been ramped up and additional measures are being taken to address COVID-19 era challenges. Christina Singh, CEO, says there are some critical issues we must be ready to address. Among them, learning loss, mental health, managing child abuse/neglect, and an increase in food insecurity.

“We have to reach more kids than those who walk through our doors,” said Singh. “Our way of doing that is Club on the Go.”

The Boys & Girls Club began Club on the Go in March when onsite services were suspended. The program makes their mission mobile by delivering hands-on learning activity kits, virtual programming, live mentoring sessions, and food support to Club families. According to Singh, the goal is a comprehensive approach aiming to support the whole home. “When we deliver activity kits, we often include a grocery store gift card and then check in with the family. We try to help manage stressors and make connections to resources.” The program allows the Club to tackle challenges kids and families are facing right now. Singh says Club on the Go will continue as they reopen for summer, and for the foreseeable future.