Little Falls finds a place for youths
A former funeral home in Little Falls has discovered new life as the temporary home of the newly formed Boys and Girls Club of Morrison County.
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When the club opened its doors in June, 13 children showed up.
But membership is growing beyond anyone's expectations. The new club had 75 children ages 6-18 who attended the last summer session last Friday and membership has now grown to more than 250 children. The summer program averaged 62 children a day; they anticipated about 25-30 children a day before the club opened. The program was closed this week for staff development and for cleaning to prepare for the start of the school year.
Boys and Girls Clubs of Morrison County staff members Holley Hansen (bottom left) and Katie Bertrand made sidewalk chalk art outside the club Tuesday with Lexus Simmons, 11; Bailey Wozniak, 6; and Alicia Wozniak, 11. Brainerd Dispatch/Kelly Humphey» Purchase reprints of this photo.
The program, funded solely through donations, is open from 2-6 p.m. Monday through Friday and hosts a variety of supervised, age-appropriate activities for children. Families only pay a $10 annual membership fee for each child. But youths won't be turned away by an inability to pay.
"We have children of doctors and we have children who are in foster care," said Janelle Hansen, Little Falls branch director. "It's for everyone from all walks of life and for anybody in the community, not just Little Falls. We never turn away a child, that's the key thing. It's what they can afford because we know the youth need to be here."
The building, located at 303 East Broadway across from the Morrison County Courthouse, is owned by the county, which provided the facility at no cost for the next three years. The county's plan is to tear it down in three years and build a parking lot so a new facility will be needed for the club, said Hansen. The board is already searching for a new location, she said. The board raised the funds to pay for the building's electric and water bills and other expenses.
The concept for the club was developed by community members who felt the county needed such a program about two years ago. It has been sponsored by the Elk River Boys and Girls Clubs. The club received a $50,000 state start-up grant.
Children played foosball at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Morrison County Tuesday. The club not only offers a free place for children to hang out from 2-6 p.m. but offers many other opportunities. Brainerd Dispatch/Kelly Humphey» Purchase reprints of this photo.
Hansen said the community support has been incredible; 90 percent of everything in the club has been donated by community members and businesses. It has five paid staff members and two additional staff members whose salaries are paid through the Workforce Center. Last Friday a parent donated 30 pizzas for children to celebrate the last day of the summer session. A Little Falls coffee shop owner donates baked breads once a week for snacks, while other parents will bring in jars of peanut butter and crackers, as well as watermelon and cereal - anything that's on sale.
Hansen said the club focuses on five key areas: arts and crafts, gaming, sports, health and life skills and education and career development. They offer outdoor activities at a local park and have a Wii gaming system and other indoor games for children to play. The club has six donated computers, a learning center and an arts and crafts area in the garage.
The new game room at the Morrison County Boys and Girls Clubs in downtown Little Falls features a Wii gaming system, pool and air hockey tables. Air hockey players included Jessica Eggerth (left), Nathaniel Lyon and Josh Kuebelbeck-Wittwer. Brainerd Dispatch/Kelly Humphey» Purchase reprints of this photo.
During the school year there will be opportunities for field trips, as well as a variety of programming. For example, children will have an opportunity to join a cooking club where they can learn to use microwaves using low-cost and easy recipes for snacks and meals they can do on their own. After school there will be homework help available from former teachers who will come in and help them finish their homework.
The school district will transport students after school to the club, dropping them off about a half-block away in front of the library where staff will meet them and walk them the rest of the way.
"The kids don't realize they're getting more than just a place to hang out," said Hansen, who spent 4-1/2 years working for the St. Cloud Boys and Girls Clubs before she accepted this directorship. "It's a mentorship, having someone guide them in their choices."
The former Simonet Funeral Home at 303 East Broadway in Little Falls is now a temporary home to the newly formed Boys and Girls Clubs of Morrison County. Brainerd Dispatch/Kelly Humphey» Purchase reprints of this photo.
When children have registered for the club, they have been asked if they are attending this club instead of another child care or after school program. Of the 250 registered members, only five of the children were attending another program. Hansen said the vast majority of children are staying home alone. Some children this summer hadn't eaten for the day until they were offered a snack when they arrived at 2 p.m. One child told Hansen how she made a concoction of potato flake cereal with milk because she didn't have any other ingredients or food in her home. Hansen said other clubs offer a meal and stay open later and that's a future goal for this new club.
"It's fun and rewarding to know we're making a little bit of a difference in their lives," said Hansen.
The board of directors' goals include the development of an outreach program in other cities, including Pierz, Royalton and Swanville, said Hansen.
Boys and Girls Clubs of Morrison County staff member Grace Haile (left) and director Janelle Hansen passed out snacks to children who stopped by the club Tuesday even though it's closed this week. Everything at the club is donated by parents and community members, including snacks. Brainerd Dispatch/Kelly Humphey» Purchase reprints of this photo.
"This is just a great potential to branch out to other communities," said Hansen. "We are seriously hoping Brainerd would like to start a club and become part of our Elk River branch. It would be wonderful."
Hansen said the club is always accepting donations and community members may sponsor a child's annual membership fee for just $10.
JODIE TWEED may be reached at jodie.tweed@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5858.
Donations needed by Boys and Girls Club in LF
The Boys and Girls Clubs of Morrison County, which opened its doors June 17 and now has 250 registered children ages 6-18, is seeking new or gently used items, in addition to other types of donations for the new center.
Donations may be dropped off between 1-6 p.m. Monday through Friday at the club, 303 E. Broadway, Little Falls. For more information, contact branch director Janelle Hansen at (320) 414-0322.
Items needed include:
Games room: kid-friendly computer games, pool sticks, pool balls, carpetball, Playstation 2 and games, Legos, and other games, including Bingo, Boggle, Dominos, Twister, Uno cards and Connect Four.
Office and program supplies: Copy paper, plain and colored; staplers; Scotch tape and refills; white or colored card stock; small file cabinet; bookshelves; mouse pads and an electric pencil sharpener.
Art supplies: Markers, thin and thick; glue bottles and glue sticks; paintbrushes, thin and thick; yarn; crafting beads; jewelry cord; embroidery floss; stickers; rubber stamps; wax paper; tissue paper; glitter glue; and odds and ends crafting supplies.
Miscellaneous items: DVD/VCR player, snow shovel, Kleenex, toilet paper, hygiene products, toothbrushes, toothpaste and hand soap/liquid.
Snack supplies: Disposable plastic or foam cups, paper towels, plastic spoons, paper plates, rubber spatula, mixing bowl, hand mixer, tinfoil, plastic wrap and a toaster.
Snacks: cheese slices or string cheese, peanut butter or honey, jelly, ice cream, bread, fruit, cereal, graham crackers, animal crackers, popcorn, saltine crackers, cookies, frozen pizza, and Kool-aid.