6.3. SR 02-08-1999 - Laserfiche WebLink

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. DESCRIPTION OF THE ORGANIZATION Elk River was once a "bed room" community of the Twin Cities, but because of the creation offour lane and super highways to provide a gateway to the North country, we have exploded in growth to the extent that a short time ago there was a move to annex our community to the metropolitan area. We are located where highway 169 and highway 10 cross, just thirty- five minutes from downtown Minneapolis and forty-five minutes from downtown St. Paul. The leaders of our community saw the problems that such rapid growth can bring with it and thus commissioned a 2001 study to assess the problems and needs of the community and to evaluate possible solutions. . The need for such an organization as the Boys & Girls Club crystallized based upon the . findings of the 2001 Study that was completed a couple of years ago. The study confirmed that, although there were things for young people with specific interests and/or skills to 40, there was little else for the kids in the area. The population had exploded to the extent that in the last three years the school district has built two new grade schools and two new junior high schools. The juvenile crime has greatly increased (there was a 29% increase from 1996 to 1997 and 1998, as of June, was already showing a 15% increase over June of 1997). There has also has been an influx of gang membership and activity into the area and the schools. In addition, there has been an increase oflow income housing and of the 8,955 children in our school district 918, or 10.25% of them receive free or reduced lunches. The study looked at all the assets available to the young people of the area and the most glaring lack was a place for kids to go, especially in the economically deprived area that most needed it. Because of the need for a place to go several groups started looking at alternatives and the concept of a Boys & Girls Club materialized within these groups as the best solution to the growing problems. Our intention is to start programing soon and to open our doors in April of 1999. The need and certainty of this project is reflected in the fact that the two local banks have agreed to finance the building so that we can start the project prior to the completion of the cp.pital campaIgn. In order to guarantee the continuance of the program the Board wanted to hire someone with a Boys & Girls Club back ground and, if possible, ties to the commll;nity. They hired me in October of 1998. I have 'over fourteen years of background work in the Boys & Girls Club field, including program and administrative. I have lived and worked in the community for almost eighteen years. In addition, we are looking for qualified Boys & Girls Club workers to staff the new club. We would anticipate these people coming on prior to the opening of the club to plan and run community wide programs to attract members. . Part of our program will be a Youth Development Strategy which through club programs and services will promote and enhance the development of boys and girls by instilling in them a