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parent families, and with the ever present temptations of legal and illegal drugs, many kids
<br />
<br />need a supportive sanctuary where they can learn about themselves and be mentored. At
<br />the Club they learn about setting positive personal goals, and learn skills which will help
<br />them achieve their dreams, in an enriching environment rather than roaming the streets in
<br />their quest for fun and identity. At Club sites in Elk River and Zimmerman, over 90 kids
<br />per day, between the ages of S to 20, learn the fundamentals of good citizenship during
<br />after school hours while having fun at the same time! Homework tutoring is just one of
<br />the many character building programs.
<br />
<br />The creation of the Club had its origins in a Community Youth Task Force study com-
<br />pleted in 1996, it concluded, among other findings that there was a need within the com-
<br />munity "...to create safe places for youth to gather." As time passed, Community leaders
<br />became additionally concerned with the dramatic increase in juvenile crime and influx of
<br />gang activity. The first Boys and Girls Club open in Elk River on November 29, 1999, and
<br />in Zimmerman in 200 I, as a response to student and community surveys. The clubs served
<br />over 700 youth in direct memberships in 2003, and each year about 4000 other youth.
<br />
<br />The Club's mission is "To inspire and enable all young people, especially those
<br />from disadvantaged circumstances, to realize their full potential as productive,
<br />responsible and caring citizens."
<br />
<br />THE CLUB - A SAFE HAVEN FOR YOUTH IN TROUBLED TIFIES.
<br />
<br />The needs served by the Club have not gone away! The Sherburne County Attorney
<br />continues to open juvenile felony and misdemeanor files on local youth. Several years ago,
<br />Elk River had one of the highest teen suicide rates in the country and continues to report
<br />"epidemic" rates of attempted suicide. Drugs and alcohol are readily available to even the
<br />youngest in our communities. Bullying behavior in our schools is on the rise. Once child
<br />behavior reaches a certain negative point, cosdy counter-measures are required such as
<br />out of home placements. In Sherburne County, it costs $61 to $212 per day to
<br />place a local child with a foster family or in other juvenile facilities. In 2003, 93
<br />kids were placed out of the home for a total expense to the t~.l~yer of
<br />$648,428.
<br />
<br />Our Club sims in Elk River and Zimmerman respond to these alarmir~ statistics by provid-
<br />ing a range of healthy, fun and educational activities durir~ the high risk times of after
<br />school and summers; by providing and enforcing a drug free zone at our two Facilities; and
<br />by offering adult and youth mentors whose primary role is to influence Club members into
<br />making healthy life-style choices. We do this at a cost of $300 per child for an entire
<br />year!
<br />
<br />We serve all youth, and I~rents ~nd children often tell us tl~t the Club helped
<br />them to stay focused, and helped them to "m~ke it", ~nd sometimes excel in
<br />times of need.
<br />
<br />HOW ISTHE CLUB FUNDED
<br />
<br />Only 4% of the Club's total budget is paid fo~ by member dues. Haintainir~ these Iow
<br />membership dues is a deliberate choice by the Club's Board of Directors. The Board feels
<br />that no child should be excluded from benefidn~ from membership in the Boys and Girls
<br />Club of Elk River. The Club is a local non-profit charity, with a 20 member board, and with
<br />membership in a national organization. Host revenue is from individuals, businesses,
<br />gr~nts, some corporations, and local service organizations such as the city, Lions, and etc.
<br />
<br />How you c~n help---
<br />It costs money to provide a trained ~nd professional staff to work with your children, as
<br />well as to maintain two facilities that are flexible enough to provide a variety of activity
<br />choices to BGCER members. It also costs more money in the long run to not support the
<br />Club, its staff, facilities and pro~rammin~, because the Club offers a positive alternative to
<br />the negative influences on our children that are here today and certainly will be present
<br />into the near future. Now is tim time to help this community organization.
<br />
<br />Sincerely,
<br />
<br />Duane Howard - Executive Director
<br />
<br />Executive Commitee 2003
<br />
<br />Todd Plaisted, President
<br />Laurie Kerr, Vice-President
<br />Don Heinzman, Secretary
<br />Bruce Bromen, Treasurer
<br />
<br />Board Members 2003
<br />
<br />John Babcock
<br />Jim Barthel
<br />Jeff Beahen
<br />Linda Braun
<br />Don Carlson
<br />Deb Dehn
<br />Jayne Dietz
<br />Harold Gramstad
<br />Scott Gudmundson
<br />Roger Hebeisen
<br />Patsy Kropuenske
<br />Nelda Remus
<br />Darryl Thompson
<br />John Weicht
<br />
<br />Administration
<br />Duane Howard, Executive Director
<br />Lana Huberty, Assr_ Director Operations/Program Director
<br />Rhonda Peterson, Office Manager/Rental Coordinator
<br />Amanda Stone, Program Director Elk River
<br />Julie Luttrell, Program Director Zimmerman
<br />
<br />Our staff is dedicated and well educated having:. Mas-
<br />ter's, Bachelor's and Associate Degrees in Education,
<br />Psychology, Administration, Park and Recreation, Busi-
<br />ness and the Arts. In addition, we employ highly recom-
<br />mended students from area schools.
<br />
<br />
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