By Jeanette A. Koechner | Director of Community Development
The Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Charles County relocated to its current facility on June 9, 2014. It became necessary to complete construction on the new Club and occupy it before all the funds were raised to meet the cost. The conditions in the old Club were intolerable and the atmosphere was extremely depressing due to the leaking roof, dampness, no air-conditioning and lack of space. There were so many programs that the Club was unable to offer due to the above conditions. The programs that were not being offered because of the issues were and are important. HOWEVER, since being in the new Club, we have been able to effectively introduce the programs and expand on the programs that were in place. The new Club has provided the opportunity for more children to attend and for more children to be helped with their homework. They are taught to live a healthy lifestyle and to be of good character. Since being in the new Facility, more children have been served healthy meals, free of charge. Over 60% of the children served at the Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Charles County live in or below the poverty level. Many of our members do not have food available to them in their home. For some, the only nutritious meals they received are provided by the Boys & Girls Clubs and their school lunch program when school is in session. From June, 2014 thru January 2016 the Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Charles County has provided more than 65,000 meals and snacks to its members, free of charge.
With the decision being made to complete the facility without all the money raised, we are in the debt reduction mode. When the debt is resolved, more funds will be freed up to help fund the valuable programs at the Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Charles County. We continue to strive every day to retire the debt and are not there yet. But with continued support that will happen.
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