The clock continues to tick for the Boys and Girls Club of Columbus.
Wracked by funding problems, the club, which serves around 120 young people every day, faces the possibility of closing for an unspecified period of time or operating fewer days each week. Dr. Melvin Ray, board president and chief volunteer officer for the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Golden Triangle, says those changes could come as soon as November.
“If we had to do anything, my preference would be to operate less days out of the week. We do not want to close the facility. That would hurt more than help. But on the other hand, we must make sure we are responsible,” said Ray.
The Columbus Boys and Girls Club has already reached the point of putting off bills in order to pay its seven employees, six of whom are part-time.
But Ray hopes efforts being coordinated by local churches to pay the Boys and Girls Club”s mortgage will provide financial relief.
“I”m optimistic the faith-based initiative will come through. It”s talking longer than we had hoped, but everyone”s doing the best they can in these hard times,” said Ray.
Pastor Steven James, of United Christian Baptist Church, is leading a push to unify 20 local churches to help pay the minimum monthly mortgage payment for the Boys and Girls Club until it restructures its mortgage in December 2011.
“We”re just trying to do what we can. This will give them some breathing room and take some pressure off them,” said James.
As of Tuesday, James had seven churches on board willing to pay just over $100 each month toward the Boys and Girls Club”s mortgage.
“It”s important we step up and take ownership of the Boys and Girls Club. A lot of our parishioners send their children there,” said James.
The Boys and Girls Club offers after-school tutoring in addition to enrichment programs designed to promote character, community service, healthy lifestyles and sound decision-making.
“We always talk about how young people need direction. Why would we sit idly by and let the Boys and Girls Club fall by the wayside? I believe there”s enough pastors and churches in this community concerned about our children,” said James.
After approaching over 20 local churches, James says none have flatly declined to participate in the funding project. Such appropriation of church funds is generally taken before church boards to be decided, but time is running short for the Boys and Girls Club.
“We”re going day-to-day, looking at receivables and payables, trying to manage those the best we possibly can and trying to hold off on some bills,” said Ray.
Jason Browne was previously a reporter for The Dispatch.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 37 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.