Coming soon: a new place for kids

A group of Franklin County citizens concerned about the need for after-school activities for children are organizing a Boys & Girls Club chapter in Louisburg.

The effort, which began more than a year ago, was hatched while playing a game.

Paige Sayles, the club organizers’ chairwoman, got the idea from a game she plays with her husband — they look at a building and imagine a use for it.

“He said, ‘Don’t you think that would make a good Boys & Girls Club?’” she said.

Sayles forgot about the building, but the idea stuck.

“There isn’t really anything offered for youth in Franklin County. This is a way to get things started,” Sayles said.

Boys & Girls Clubs of America, celebrating its 100th year, offers children a safe place to learn through its programs, character development activities and ongoing relationships with staff.

“Personally, I think it is a great asset, especially for working parents. It gives them an extended school day in a fun way,” Debra Pearce, assistant principal at Jones Dairy Elementary School, said.

Pearce was an assistant principal at Wake Forest Elementary before she moved to Jones Dairy Elementary, so she has seen the Wake Forest club grow from its beginnings to what it is now.

“It provides support for children whose parents might not be able to do that at the end of a long day,” she said.

“I’ve seen children grow up in the club and go on to take leadership positions in the community.”

Franklin County’s Sayles talked to Boys & Girls Club representatives, then began drumming up support.

That support grew into an 18-member board dedicated to the club’s creation, with a target date to open this Oct. 15.

Wake Forest Boys & Girls Club director Hugh McLean gave some Franklin County representatives a tour of his club, which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary.

“Getting started, they have a committed group who are looking to provide something positive,” McLean said.

“You could tell they had a passion for getting this done. It will be exciting to have a club in Louisburg.”

McLean already foresees joint programs with the new chapter to provide a connection between kids in Wake Forest and Franklin County.

But Boys & Girls Clubs set high standards for participation in their organization. It wants a program to succeed and will not approve a chapter if organizers can’t keep it afloat.

So with all the enthusiasm they have received and promises of support, what the group needs now is money. Or the promise of it.

Smith said the estimate for running a club runs between $100,000-$150,000 a year.

“They want to see cash in the bank,” board member Rosemary Champion said.

The Franklin County group wants to guarantee they can cover the first two years. They are shooting for $300,000 in pledges.

And they are confident they can reach their goal.

The first step is partnering with a premiere founder — a major funding partner who wants to get in on the ground level.

“We’ll try for a three-year commitment,” Sayles said.

Organizers expect to receive non-profit designation by the end of the month and are preparing to start presenting their case to businesses.

Planning stages

Their goal of funding the first two years is meant to meet the national program’s requirements but also attract a top-notch club director.

“Our success will be 60 percent based on putting a good director in place,” Champion said.

Sayles said once they have reached a level of around 50 percent of funding pledged, they will be ready to recruit a director.

For organization purposes, the Franklin County group is partnering with Vance County to set up its Boys & Girls Club affiliate, but each county raises its own money and will have its own facility.

The Franklin County group took a big step by finding a location. Franklin County Schools agreed to lease the club the gym at Riverside Elementary Magnet School for $1 per year.

The school system closed Riverside and will move its offices into the facility before the next school year, leaving the gym available.

Champion said the gym has a capacity of 150. Minus staff, the facility will be able to handle well over 100 children per day.

Sayles added that a waiting list will be established once the club meets its member limit.

The club would charge members $5-$15 in annual dues.

Champion said dues are only charged to encourage children to make a commitment to the club, but the cost is so low no one who is interested in joining is left out.

“The idea is to get them to buy into the program,” Sayles said.

The facility needs some work and organizers will also need to divide up the gym for sports, study areas and some of classrooms.

“Adults can get caught up in the facilities, but kids just want something to do,” McLean said.

“It’s more about what’s going on for them.”

Boys & Girls clubs welcome kids between 6-18. In their effort, the organizers picture a haven for middle school students.

Most middle schools only provide afterschool sports, Sayles said.

“Elementary schools provide more recreation opportunities, day care and afterschool programs,” Sayles said.

While researching basic interest in the idea, they found a small number of middle school parents had their kids in Boys & Girls clubs. Some Youngsville and Franklinton residents take their kids to Wake Forest. In Bunn, parents used a club in Zebulon.

The group decided on Louisburg for its location, but the club is meant to be an opportunity for kids throughout the county, so organizers are seeking ways to provide transportation to the club.

Options include allowing parents to authorize the club as a school drop-off location. Asking churches to provide church vans one day a week to transport students to the club has also been proposed.

Boys & Girls Clubs provide chapters with a core group of activities that can be provided.

Once founding partners are determined, the group plans to hold a kickoff to drum up more interest and get ideas for programs.

Sayles said they expect to start with core programs and let the community decide what’s needed.

“Boys & Girls Clubs offer more than recreation. They offer education, career development, leadership lessons, character education, (and) drug, alcohol and gang prevention,” Sayles said.

“We would want to offer arts and crafts. Some groups have theater programs. (Our) location would be a good spot for that.”

Normal hours for a Boys & Girls Club run from around 2:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. Monday-Friday, with extended hours on Saturday.