JOPLIN, MO.--- Staff at the Joplin Boys and Girls Club are staying busier than usual. An average of 300 kids fill these rooms every afternoon.
"Not only are we getting more kids, but we're seeing them more days, longer hours of the day," states Rhonda Gorham, Executive Director.
Some kids who used to spend 1 day a week at the club are now there all 5 week days. "50% of our kids are from single family homes, so parents are out working," says Gorham.
So, more programs are now in place to keep children engaged and learning.
"We're tutoring 50 kids individually, one on one," says Gorham.
Another program is all about technology thanks to a large donation of computers.
"Kids who don't have a computer at home, this is their only opportunity to get on a computer and see what it's about," says Sarah Mallos, Boys and Girls Club, Unit Director.
Making the computer lab invaluable.
"They have educational games on all of the computers, so they're practicing math skills, reading programs, we got tutor programs set up," says Mallos.
Directors say donations like these are what make the Boys and Girls Club a success. "Donations are everything to this facility," says Gorham. So they're asking for your help.
"We do not have state funding. We get every dollar we get from this community, whether that's people writing checks or mailing in cash," says Gorham.
The club offers a return on your investment. For $350 a year, you get space in the gym to hang your company's banner. That money can cover a year's membership for 7 kids. Any little bit helps, even a $10 donation can help buy art supplies for the kids.
"Not only are we getting more kids, but we're seeing them more days, longer hours of the day," states Rhonda Gorham, Executive Director.
Some kids who used to spend 1 day a week at the club are now there all 5 week days. "50% of our kids are from single family homes, so parents are out working," says Gorham.
So, more programs are now in place to keep children engaged and learning.
"We're tutoring 50 kids individually, one on one," says Gorham.
Another program is all about technology thanks to a large donation of computers.
"Kids who don't have a computer at home, this is their only opportunity to get on a computer and see what it's about," says Sarah Mallos, Boys and Girls Club, Unit Director.
Making the computer lab invaluable.
"They have educational games on all of the computers, so they're practicing math skills, reading programs, we got tutor programs set up," says Mallos.
Directors say donations like these are what make the Boys and Girls Club a success. "Donations are everything to this facility," says Gorham. So they're asking for your help.
"We do not have state funding. We get every dollar we get from this community, whether that's people writing checks or mailing in cash," says Gorham.
The club offers a return on your investment. For $350 a year, you get space in the gym to hang your company's banner. That money can cover a year's membership for 7 kids. Any little bit helps, even a $10 donation can help buy art supplies for the kids.
