After-school club keeps growing popularity

After school, the Boys and Girls Club of Glacier Country in Evergreen comes alive with activity.

On Dec. 17, boisterous children were spread throughout the building playing basketball, painting, drawing, working on homework and playing computer games.

With locations in Evergreen and Columbia Falls, the Boys and Girls Club of Glacier Country has experienced an increase in participation over the past few years.

Both locations serve between 100 and 115 youths every day who participate in structured activities from 3:20 to 6 p.m. There are physical activities in the gym, arts, crafts, tutors and programs to help children learn about making good choices.

On Fridays and Saturdays, the gym turns into a roller skating rink open to the public, which draws even more children and families.

“We serve hundreds each week,” said Boys and Girls Club of Glacier Country Executive Director Alan Sempf — children who might otherwise return to empty houses while parents are still at work. “It’s what I like to call a good problem. It’s a great to see our program growing.”

Two full-time and 10 part-time staffers keep the clubhouse going.

“Having enough trained staff to break these kids out into small groups and make a really impact when they’re here is important,” Sempf said. “We’ve been fortunate to have a very good staff that’s dedicated.”

Brian Cartwright, director of the Evergreen clubhouse, said staffers are always trying to come up with new ideas to keep children engaged.

“They have so much energy as soon as they come off the bus. Two to three hours really isn’t a lot of time. You’ve got to get their energy out,” Cartwright said.

Keeping up with the growing demand for after-school programming and keeping the doors open is a balancing act when it comes to finances when funding sources are made up of one-time money through donations or grants that lapse after a period of time.

Revenue generated through membership dues, roller skating and when the building or gym is rented out for parties or roller derby helps offset costs. Membership dues are $25 a month, but Sempf and Cartwright emphasized no child is ever turned away if he or she can’t pay dues. Sempf said about 25 percent of the children they serve receive scholarships.

To meet demands, the Boys and Girls Club of Glacier Country is trying to raise $25,000 to maintain current programming and hours of operation.

“The budget has gone up the last three years even though we’ve lost funding. We lost a longtime funding source of $65,000 after 10 years. It was a federal grant,” Sempf said, noting that on the bright side he has been able to secure funding to replace roughly half of the grant amount. “One of our constant struggles is finding and replacing funds.”

From basketballs to dollars, Sempf said, “We stretch and we utilize everything. We are breaking even.”

Located on Shady Lane, the Evergreen clubhouse is within walking distance for many low-income families.

“This clubhouse right here couldn’t be at a better location in terms of meeting the needs of low-income families,” Sempf said.

“We’re here for the kids, that’s the bottom line. Another thing is we don’t make the parents show income or validate that they can’t afford it, or anything like that. It’s a youth organization and we want the kids here,” Sempf said, noting that if the club enforced dues, children wouldn’t come and “ they’d be roaming the streets.”

Staff members do as much maintenance and repairs on their own to keep costs down.

“The building takes a beating,” Sempf said, because of the number of children who come through the doors.

December is a mixture of hardship and giving for many families served by the club.

“December is especially a tough month for families just by the amount of phone calls I’ve taken,” Cartwright said.

For parents scrambling to find structured supervision for their children over winter break, the Boys and Girls Club of Glacier Country in Evergreen will be open, which is new this year.

“The parents are very excited that we’re going to be open the week after Christmas,” Sempf said.

The club will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 28-31. Cost is $25 per day and children are asked to bring a sack lunch.

When parents can give back through volunteering, they do, Sempf said.

“They’ll come help us in an afternoon, maybe they’re 10 bucks short or they’ll mow the lawn if they have a lawn-mowing business,” Sempf said.

Some families even pay money toward other children’s dues in the spirit of the holiday season, he said. Businesses and organizations in the community also pull through in support of the Boys and Girls Club. Recently, thanks to Kalispell Toyota, First Interstate Bank and DePratu Ford (now Whitefish Ford), staffers will hand out 200 pairs of winter boots to children along with donations of coats, hats and gloves.

“Every child will get a pair,” Sempf said.

Ensuring things continue to operate smoothly is sometimes a “seven days a week” job.

“It wears you out sometimes,” Sempf said, yet the everyday impact on the lives of children and the generosity of the community sustains his spirit. “You get to know parents and you get to know their kids.”

Cartwright added, “You do this job because you like it.”

For more information, call 752-5440.

To donate, visit www.gofundme.com/wwe5ga6s or send donations to the Boys and Girls Club of Glacier Country, P.O. Box 7475, Kalispell, MT 59904. Along with monetary donations, the clubs also seeking athletic and fishing equipment along with art and craft supplies.

Hilary Matheson is a reporter for The Daily Inter Lake. She may be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.