Since 2001, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Spokane County have been a beacon of support for families, offering youth development programs and camps across multiple locations. These initiatives are designed to help parents during school breaks and after-school hours.
Where kids go to learn outside of school.
Olivia Gaete, the director of resource development for the organization, emphasized the importance of these programs.
There is a lot of need for after-school programs and school-break programs. Just because kids get off school at 2:30 p.m. doesn’t mean the parents are off work, so we provide that safe, positive, fun, engaging, all-around supportive place for kids to be after school.
At the clubs, children are not only provided with snacks, but also opportunities to play sports, exercise, and participate in programs that promote academic success, healthy lifestyles, and good character. Olivia shared that the programs are a special opportunity for them to learn outside of the classroom.
The busiest time for the organization is during their 10-week summer camps, where each location hosts between 200 and 250 children. Running from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. five days a week, these camps are a lifeline for many families. The cost is kept affordable at $125 a week, covering all expenses, including meals.
Positively impacting Spokane families and the local economy.
Not only are the programs great for families, they’re also important to the community. Olivia shared her thoughts on the economic impact of the services they offer.
“I believe it benefits the whole Spokane economy to be able to provide these programs at a reasonable cost. Parents can work and they’re not at risk of being laid off because they have to pick up their kids after school or are struggling to juggle everything that comes with running a family.”
Funding for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Spokane County comes from community partnerships, grants writing, and most importantly, donations from community members.
“You donate directly to the kids,” Olivia explained. “All of those dollars truly stay local, and they’re necessary.”
Volunteering is another vital aspect of the organization’s operations. Opportunities range from painting classrooms and preparing outdoor spaces for recreation to mentoring and preparing snacks.
“I’m so grateful to work at the club, and I’m so fortunate to say there are endless possibilities to help,” Olivia said. “We can benefit from everybody, whether it’s a recurring donation or volunteers who help us with their time at the clubs.”
A long history of partnership.
Talking with Olivia about the history of the club, she recalled that some of the earliest volunteers included members of Washington Trust’s leadership team, who helped with everything from opening the clubs in the morning to preparing meals and snacks when the kitchen staff were shorthanded.
Celebrating the awesome among us.
At Washington Trust, we think our community partners are the awesome among us, and serving the needs of our communities is core to what we do. Our bankers do this each day by finding ways to support the work of nonprofits just like the Boys and Girls Club of Spokane County.
To learn more about our commitment to community, visit our community page, and to learn more about sponsoring or volunteering with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Spokane County, visit their website at www.BGCSpokane.org.
Thank you, Boys and Girls Club of Spokane County, for all that you do for Spokane kids and families.