The Boys & Girls Club of Elgin is planning to open three new satellite after-school programs in Streamwood this year and a clubhouse in South Elgin in 2019, club officials said.
“We’re working to make sure we cover areas that are part of Elgin-area School District U46,” club mission advancement director LaShaunda Jordan said.
“Our goal is to serve more kids better,” said Cathy Russell, the club’s president and CEO. “We have a great partnership with U46, and we work with them to locate where kids are who need us most.”
In August, the club opened a satellite location at Ridge Circle Elementary School in Streamwood — its first outside of Elgin, where it is already partnered with 11 schools, Russell said. By Nov. 1, there also will be satellite after-school programs at Canton and Tefft middle schools in Streamwood and at Streamwood High School, she said.
A grand opening for the first Streamwood location is scheduled for 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday at the school, 420 Ridge Circle. In addition to a ribbon-cutting, Streamwood Village President Billie Roth and other officials will speak, a presentation will be held and program tours offered.
U46 CEO Tony Sanders said having the sites means more lives will be changed for the better.
“From providing a trusted after-school or summer program to supporting homework or just listening to a child, the Boys and Girls Club’s local expansion means more support for some of our students with the greatest needs,” Sanders said. “We are grateful and excited to work with this community partner and open doors to more opportunities for students.”
The Ridge Circle school site operates from 2:30 to 6 p.m. on school days and has been drawing about 100 students a day, Russell said. That’s about 10 percent of the 1,000 or so children who participate on a daily basis in programs at satellite locations and at the group’s main building at 355 Dundee Ave. in Elgin, she said.
The proposed South Elgin clubhouse would be housed in the village’s former public works building, which is to be converted to a facility serving 250 children attending kindergarten through 8th grade, Russell said. A fundraising campaign will be launched in 2019 to pay for the work, she said.
Roth said Streamwood officials are excited about the club’s expansion into their town. She has visited the Ridge Circle program and was impressed by the services offered to students and their families, she said.
“It was obvious that the students were excited about being in the program. Parents noted that they didn’t want to leave,” Roth said. “The staff with the Boys and Girls Club is committed to the students and enthusiastic about working with them. The teachers and principal were delighted by the educational support this program offered.”
