TRINITY — It was a really good day at the Boys & Girls Club of Walker County - Trinity Site Monday.
Through tears of joy from the Leadership Council members, the club opened with 60 kids, the culmination of months of work on what Director Michelle Spencer describes as a labor of love.
“We’ve been working since April to get it going, and it finally happened,” Spencer said. “Parents were doubly amazed and excited that it was back open. We’re hoping by the end of the week we’ll be at 100 kids.”
The club closed a little more than a year ago; the Walker County chapter stepped up, however, and took over the operation. Work began in April to get the facility ready, coinciding with the start of the new school year.
“It took a lot of hard work, blood, sweat and tears to get there,” Spencer said. “Thanks to all the volunteers for all the work; thanks to Trinity ISD for allowing us to host the club there, and for guidance through the process. Thank you to the city for the proclamation and their help with heavy lifting; thanks to the teachers who have been helping us and publicizing the program, and thank you to the staff and the leadership council, which includes Lisa Evans, Debbie Gathright, Billy Goodin, Tracy Hutto, Tony Farkas, Sharon Dennis, and Michelle Kizzee.”
Spencer also thanked the Walker County Executive Board for seeing the importance of expanding services to Trinity.
The club is now open from 3:30 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday; when the school district goes to 4-day weeks, the club will extend hours on Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Spencer said that through the great staff that has been hired, the club will offer numerous activities as well as afternoon snacks. Later, the school district will provide hot meals.
“Right now, the kids are learning what the rules are, and we are learning who they are, so we can plan,” Spencer said. “We will offer homework help, arts and crafts, organized sports activities, and game room fun with board games and consoles, but our main focus is homework and educational support for the schools.”
The Boys and Girls Club has received a grant from the national organization for Sylvan Learning, which will start Sept. 1. Spencer said that children will be tested, and 20 will be selected for intensive tutoring. The remaining students will participate in Power Hour; using transcripts, the club will create an action plan for each child’s growth.
“We hope to be an extension of the school district,” she said. “We’re excited about what we can offer.”
The program is open to students from kindergarten through 12th grade. The cost to participate is a $25 annual membership fee; there also is a $25 per month activity fee for first child, which will drop to $20 for siblings.
Anyone is welcome to take a tour of the facility. Additionally, donations always are welcome, which help the club continue to offer quality programs. On Oct. 17, will be a purse bingo at the clubhouse.
For information call (936) 291-6054.
