Boys and Girls Club of Henderson opens doors; more than 100 students signed up in two days
Beth Smith
HENDERSON, Ky. - Great for working parents, after-school fun for kids, and incredibly easy on the household budget.
It's hard to believe anything encompassing all these benefits exists. But it does, and it's the Cliff Hagan Boys and Girls Club Inc. in Henderson.
The long-sought organization opened its doors Aug. 7 -- the first day of school for Henderson County students -- in the Community Baptist Church building on Pebble Creek Drive.
Five days a week, students have a go-to spot after school where they can play games, make crafts, study, have a snack and remain under adult supervision until 6:30 p.m. when the club closes for the night.
The cost of such a program -- only $12 a year per child.
"But we don't turn any child away" if money is an issue, said Detona Wilson, the Henderson club's director. "If the child lives in public housing or is from a military family, the $12 fee is waived. Some parents who come in and pay for their child go ahead and pay for another child as well."
On Wednesday, 55 Henderson County students attended the activities at the Boys and Girls Club. By Thursday, 100 were signed up with more applications streaming in.
"Parents can sign their children up at Community Baptist Church or go to our website which is cliffhaganboysandgirlsclub.org and download an application," Wilson said.
"Once the money and application are turned in, the child is free to come."
The Henderson County School District is providing transportation to the club, she said.
"Parents just have to let the schools know that the child is attending the boys and girls club so that the student can be dropped off here," Wilson said.
There are 10 staff members -- all who are at least 18 years old. "Most of our staff are college-age and attend college. They all have a shirt that says staff, and I've told the kids, those are your go-to people."
"We wait for the kids to arrive; we serve a snack; there is a group game and there are different activities," she said.
The program's activities include crafts, games such as foosball and pool, or kick ball and basketball. The staff also teach children about good nutrition, hygiene, the dangers of drugs and alcohol and much more.
The opening days of the Boys and Girls club, Wilson said, have been pretty smooth.
"The parents are happy, and I've heard kids say that they've had so much fun, they don't want to leave. We had three little boys who asked their grandmother if they could stay longer. So she actually left and came back later."
"The Boys and Girls Club gives kids somewhere to be, somewhere to go. They can get homework done and get the guidance they need," Wilson said. "I like the Boys and Girls Club because I'm a single parent myself and my son can utilize it."
It takes about $200,000 a year to fund the Boys and Girls Club. "We are always accepting donations," she said. "I believe it's going to keep growing, so there's definitely a (financial) need."
Staff member Sonia Knight is a Henderson resident, a mother and a grandmother.
"I got involved because I wanted to ensure that the Boys and Girls Club here in Henderson was successful," she said. "We have a lot of youth who need something. There are other places, but there are kids who weren't able to get to those places. I thought this was a good venture for us to have here in Henderson."
"Also, one of my grandchildren has been involved in the Boys and Girls Club in Evansville and it helped him a lot. So I just want to make sure this one in Henderson is successful," Knight said. "If I don't participate and help, then I can't complain about it."
Paige Collins, a Henderson resident and a junior in college, is also a staff member.
Her major, psychology with a minor in human services, is just one of the reasons she wanted to be part of the Boys and Girls Club in Henderson.
"I feel like doing this, I can make a difference in someone's life," Collins said.
"There are so many little kids who don't know what's right and what's wrong. I feel like if they come here, we can redirect them and show them," she said. "They might not have someone at home who can help them, but if they come here they have one-on-one with somebody, have kids to play with and they can have fun."
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Those interested in donating to the Boys and Girls Club in Henderson can call 270-832-7752; mail a check to Henderson Extension/Boys and Girls Club, P.O. Box 662, Henderson, KY 42419; or email Detona Wilson at dwilson.bgca@gmail.com