Local Boys and Girls Club Looking to Grow Through Tough Economy

As towns across America cut budgets and struggle to keep up with providing basic services, people turn to the nonprofit sector to pick up the slack. When the Board of Education is forced to cut after school programs, it’s not because kids don’t benefit from those programs or because kids don’t need those programs, it’s simply a matter of not having enough money. It’s a business decision. And often it’s the nonprofit sector that feels the pressure to pick up the slack and provide community services and aid to those feeling the effects of the shrinking government budgets.

The Boys and Girls Club of Westminster, at 25 Union Street, is one local nonprofit that is looking for ways to serve more kids and expand their services.

Program Director Sean Davis is optimistic that the organization will grow.  “Coach”, as he is known by the kids, foresees a future in which this relatively small Club will outgrow the building they are currently in. He, along with the rest of the organization, can envision a Boys and Girls Club with a gym, larger class rooms, and “who knows maybe even a swimming pool,” Davis said.

The Boys and Girls Club of Westminster takes pride in its mission: “To enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.”

The road toward expansion has been a long one, and although the Westminster branch has been around for four years, “the Club started to meet national standards only three years ago,” said Davis.

Over the last three years the Boys and Girl Club of Westminster has made significant steps in improving the Club and fulfilling its mission. The Club has a systematic, yet flexible, schedule for the children every day after school.

On a typical school day, 35 students from local schools arrive at the club at 3 p.m. The kids work with volunteers and employees for a power hour -- an allotted time period on their homework. After their homework is complete, the children are offered a nutritious snack.

The boys and girls spend the rest of their day at the club enjoying organized games and programs that emphasize leadership and commitment.

Club officers and Davis hold club meetings throughout the week. The meetings focus on generating ideas for fund raising, club events, partnerships, and improving Boys and Girls Club attendance.

“Our Club is a one-stop-shop; the children receive academic support, and nutrition in a safe, supervised environment,” explained Executive Director Tiffany Gill.

 “Strong report cards and improvement in school show the children are improving both academically and socially,” Gill added.

Both Tiffany Gill and Sean Davis made it clear that continuous personal interactions with the community are vital to the growth of the Club. Equally important in their plan for growth is the need to reach out to more students who would benefit from the after school program.  

Recently, the Westminster Boys and Girls Club made a big step in its development by separating from the Harford County Club and becoming its own, independent Club, funded and resourced solely by Carroll County. “This is a vital step to becoming most local for us,” said Gill.

Partnerships with the Robert Moton Center and McDaniel College have aided in the organization’s development.

Davis is particularly happy about the recent partnership with the College: “The partnership has had a huge impact on our organization.”

“It (the partnership) began with volunteer students and has developed into work studies and internships paid for by McDaniel College” Davis said. “The kids now have the opportunity to use the campus facilities and even see life through the perspective of a college student.”

“My favorite part about working here is the interaction with the kids, it awakens you… you realize how cool it is the help kids and see life through their lives” said McDaniel Junior Daveed Sumpter.

West Middle School eighth grader Richard Raley is the president of the Boys and Girls Club student board. The Club has a president, vice president, and treasurer (all middle school club members) that work together to formulate ideas to help improve the Club.

The kids have many upcoming events including a spring “Fit Day” in which the Club will take to the McDaniel Football field to enjoy a field day of sports and fitness. Anxious about the upcoming events is ninth grader Capree Brown. Capree is the self proclaimed “club’s best dancer” specializing in Michael Jackson impersonations.

When asked how he became such a qualified dancer, Capree responded, “What can I say, I work hard at what I do.”