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Boys & Girls Club proposes relocating South Smithfield program to Sarah Yard Community Center
Summary
Boys & Girls Clubs of Johnston County asked the Town of Smithfield to allow joint use of the Sarah Yard Community Center, proposing to expand service from about 35–40 children to up to 60 daily, cover staffing and program costs, and hold a community meeting before any formal town action.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Johnston County presented a proposal to the Town of Smithfield council to relocate its South Smithfield elementary after‑school program to the Sarah Yard Community Center, which the club said would allow programming on teacher work days and in summer months as well as expand capacity.
"Coming over to Sarah Yard will allow us to serve additional kids, up to 60 kids per day," DJ Jones, chief operating officer, told the council. Jones said the organization would assume staffing, program supplies and equipment costs and would seek a partnership with Parks and Recreation to cover some utilities.
The club asked the council not to take immediate action and said staff and the club will hold a community meeting before any contract is considered. Jones described the club's long-standing open‑door policy and said the organization has insurance and minimum staffing ratios (1:20) and would craft safety and sign‑out procedures appropriate to the site.
Council members and residents asked about specific operational details: whether the open‑door sign‑out policy would have age limits, how transportation would work with Johnston County Schools, and whether current users of the Sarah Yard center (including a weekly women's/senior group) would be displaced. Jones said some clubs have age limits depending on community needs; Johnson County Schools had been approached about bussing, and the club would work around preexisting scheduling.
Longtime volunteers and residents spoke in favor of the change. "I think it's one of the best things that could ever happen for the youth in the community," Ava Gaines, a volunteer and retired teacher, said, urging the council to support the effort.
The council did not vote; staff said a contract and community meeting would come later if the council supports moving forward. Next steps include a town‑club meeting to discuss schedules, insurance and a formal contract that would specify maintenance and liability responsibilities.
