BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF CENTRAL MINNESOTA

The Boys & Girls Club is celebrating 37 years of service to young people in Central Minnesota. Even in these difficult economic times, children and families can rest assured that we promise to meet their most critical needs. Knowing that 88 percent of the children we serve at the units are eligible for free and reduced lunches at school, we provide a daily snack and nutritious meal. Last year, we served 47,000 meals and 31,000 snacks. This program is especially critical in the summer months, when school meals are not available. Without the Boys & Girls Club's meal program, hundreds of children in the St. Cloud area might go hungry. We also provide Power Hour homework help & tutoring daily at each of our 17 locations, using field trips and special activities as incentives to ensure our members' success in school. Helping our members work toward goals for graduation will always be among our top priorities.

The Boys & Girls Club builds successful youth with our education & career development programs. Eastside member Maggie Holmberg learned valuable job skills through Career Launch, which helped her get her first job at Perkin's. Now she is a KIDSTOP youth guidance worker. This hard worker definitely has great things in store for her!

The arts provide a unique opportunity to transform the learning environment for children. Therefore, we have made a promise to our community to provide regular performing arts opportunities for our young members, whose circumstances limit their ability to participate in theatre at school or in the community. We have strengthened our community partnerships to expose our young people to theatre at the Paramount and CSB/SJU. Our members have also performed numerous productions, including "Twinderella" with the help of GREAT Theatre. They have produced two silent movies with the help of summer performing arts interns. Last fall, the Eastside unit has even started an open mic night the first Friday of each month. We continue to be amazed by the talent that has surfaced through these programs provided at the Club. Join us on Facebook to hear more about our holiday performance of "A Christmas Carol!"

The Boys & Girls Club keeps children healthy and active through daily sports tournaments, fitness challenges and outdoor play. We have three full-size gyms available at the units with dedicated staff in the sports, fitness and recreation core program area. Our Clubs are also located in city parks, and we full utilize the fields for outdoor sports activities and playground use. We provide Triple Play: a game plan for mind, body and soul - which is a national program designed to develop fitness through daily challenges in the gym and games room, as well as build healthy habits and lifestyle shifts in our young people and their families.