As students and parents prepare for a new school year, the Boys and Girls Club of Tarrant County is ramping up preparations for an influx of students for the nonprofit’s after-school programs.
A representative for the organization says there is a great demand for resources by families who are struggling financially, especially since the start of COVID-19.
“It’s important that a child has access to all the resources they need to be prepared for both inside and outside the classroom,” Daphne Barlow Stigliano, president and CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County, told CBSNews.
Stigliano says many safety measures have been implemented to ensure that the Boys and Girls Club facility is a safe place for students and parents.
“Our facilities, all of them, have the opportunity for families to come, and they can see through the glass, but we just separate guests when they come in,” says Stigliano.
Each employee has gone through a screening and background check. Parents sign in and out during pick-up and drop-off using tablets affixed to the walls. The facility has installed cameras to monitor the premises.
Stigliano says employees have received training on how to understand and manage groups of children and identify and address behavior appropriately.
The Boys and Girls Club of Tarrant County hosts programs for 31,000 children and teens across Tarrant County on academics, health, leadership, and preparation for the workforce. Also available are substance abuse, gang prevention, college preparation, and mental health programs.
While no child will be excluded from the after-school program, the Boys and Girls Club said it will need help to keep up with demand. Visit the organization’s website to make a donation, inquire about jobs, or learn more about programs offered.