While several counties in Colorado are expected to see their child population fall, Weld County’s population of people under the age of 18 is expected to double between 2017 and 2050.[1]  Yet, even as it stands today, 1 in 6 kids across Colorado are alone or unsupervised every day after school. Law enforcement leaders indicate that the hours from 2:00pm to 6:00pm are the peak times for juvenile crime.[2] Furthermore, children living in communities of concentrated poverty face additional challenges including inequitable access to safe spaces for outdoor play, grocery stores with fresh produce, quality of education, and other opportunities that support positive youth development and build character.  That’s where Boys & Girls Clubs of Weld County steps in.

 

Recognized as one of northern Colorado’s premier private nonprofits, Boys & Girls Clubs of Weld County (BGCWC) has been serving youth ages 6 through 18 since 1964.  A charter organization of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, BGCWC’s mission is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens. We offer comprehensive youth development programs both after school and during the summer in five different Clubhouse locations across Greeley, Milliken/Johnstown, Fort Lupton, and Eaton/Galeton. During the school year, BGCWC offer a variety of activities and programs each weekday from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The Clubs also operate a ten-week summer program from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Costs for youth to participate is minimal—$20 for the school year and $20 for summer. We also provide transportation from schools to the Clubs at little or no cost to members. We are committed to helping an underserved and often overlooked population achieve an overall higher quality of life by offering them a safe, positive and fun environment where they are supported by their peers and our staff; where they are given opportunities and held to expectations; and where they are recognized for their achievements and improvements.

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[1] Kids Count in Colorado! 2019, https://www.coloradokids.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/2019-KidsCount-9-4-19-Low-Res.pdf

[2] This is Afterschool in Colorado, http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/documents/CO-afterschool-facts.pdf