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Boys & Girls Club presents countywide partnership and program overview to board
Summary
The Boys & Girls Club of Portage County briefed the board on countywide after-school programming, alternative education supports (Gateway, YES, truancy services), workforce programs and unique services such as an onsite dental clinic; the board praised the ongoing partnership and asked about funding for expansion to Marshfield.
The Boys & Girls Club of Portage County presented an overview of its countywide programs and its partnership with the Stevens Point Area Public School District during the Jan. 13 board meeting.
Danielle Velsky, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club, outlined the organization’s sites across Portage County, the range of after-school and summer programs it provides, and several targeted alternatives and workforce-preparation programs delivered in partnership with the district, including Gateway (an alternative to out‑of‑home placement), YES (mentoring and truancy-abatement supports), Youth Enrichment Services (an in‑school suspension alternative) and Project SEARCH workforce-readiness programming.
The club also highlighted its Delta Dental Smile Club, a dental clinic located in the Burrard Center that provides hygiene services and volunteer dental care; the CEO said roughly 300 children have accessed the dental services and that about 983 hours of homework support were delivered through the club in the year cited. The presenter said the club operates a 1:15 staff-to-child ratio (more protective than national Boys & Girls Club guidance), and that partnerships with schools helped secure federal (ESSER) and 21st Century Community Learning Center funding to expand programming.
Why it matters: Board members praised the partnership and asked how expansion plans to Marshfield would be funded. The presenter said Marshfield fundraising and an operational campaign are expected to underwrite that expansion; district leaders described the club’s programs as a significant part of after‑school and summer support for students in the Stevens Point schools.
Board discussion: Trustees asked about funding sources for expansion, the club’s membership fee structure (a $10 annual fee for families qualifying for free/reduced lunch; $110 for others for the school year), and whether membership eligibility is self‑reported; the CEO said the reduced/free determination is self‑reported on the membership form. The board thanked the club for its role during COVID‑era meal distribution and ongoing coordination with district summer-school schedules.
Ending: Trustees and administrators described the club as a key partner delivering after‑school supervision, enrichment and targeted alternative programming; the club will continue coordination with the district and external funders as it explores expansion to neighboring communities.
