A helpful outlet for young people in Ford Heights is coming back to life, thanks to help from grants, donations and the determination of staff and young people.
The Boys and Girls Club of Ford Heights closed last summer, when its 21st Century Grant disbursed by the Illinois State Board of Education was cut by the federal government. The nonprofit had been a community staple since 1973, and generations of youth had attended its afterschool programs.
In the months since it was shuttered, staff, community members and local leaders helped secure new funding, including a state Teen Reach grant, and a Community Development Block Grant through the Department of Housing and Urban Development, along with private donations. That has helped bridge the funding gap and provide the roughly $150,000 needed to keep the building and its programs in motion this summer.
It also helped fund cleaning, a coat of fresh paint and new floors at the facility in Ford Heights, a village that lacks many resources.
“This community … all they know is the Girls and Boys Club,” said Anthony Wofford, club manager. “Eighty percent of families have all been through the club. It’s really a tight-knit community.”
The club has programs for children in kindergarten through high school ages. There are 55 youth enrolled this year, but next year the club hopes for 80 members, according to Wofford.
After participants begin arriving, around 3 p.m., the kids have time to do their homework or brush up on reading or math, then get into arts and crafts, or go to the gym and play games “to get their bodies in motion,” said Wofford. The older youth also get to spend time in the lounge, where they can talk to each other, play games or just kick back.
Older participants also take part in “Diplomas to Degrees,” where they learn about applying to college, and “Passport to Manhood” and “Smart Girls,” where they get tips on what to do in certain life situations.
“It takes them a while to get into it but once we hit topics they enjoy, they’re invested,” said Wofford.
A favorite topic is what they’ll do for careers.
“If they say, be a basketball player, we ask what does it look like to become this,” said Wofford.
They also get snacks to tide them over until dinner, which are provided by Blessings in a Backpack and can include fruit cups/pouches, jerky, granola bars, nuts, raisins and pretzels or chips.
There will also be summer camp from June 1 through the end of July, which will include trips to other clubs with pools.
On a recent day at the club in Ford Heights, kids did a science experiment with instructor Don’tejah Robinson, where they turned water red or blue, depending on the type of acid they added.
Kids appeared to be enthralled.
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It’s turning red,” said one child, excitedly.
“Let’s see if we can make it blue, y’all,” Robinson said to the group.
In another room, Rollie Jones, director of Sports and Youth Leadership at James R. Jordan Club, part of Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago, led the pupils in balloon play to prepare them for volleyball.
“We learn and play games. … We play so many games,” said Amir. “We get on the iPad when we have free time.”
A 9-year-old named Kalana said she enjoyed the club’s teachers, plus the gaming room/lounge, where participants play video games and physical activities.
“We had one kid last year who really did not want to come when he started,” said Wofford. “He cried for three days but the next day, when his mom came, he said ‘Can I please stay?’” said Wofford.
“We don’t force them to do anything, they can hang back and see what’s going on and find they end up doing things. The whole thing is just a light mood.”
They’ll also be starting a “store” with toys that youth can buy with points gained from participation, an idea suggested by Robinson.
Some youngsters, such as Christian, are even awaiting the day when they can work at the club, though Wofford told her at 13 she was a bit too young.
Janice Neumann is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.