By: Brendan Loew/The Boys and Girls Club | April 25, 2024
Clarksdale, Mississippi – As community violence has recently increased, even tragically impacting local students, many Clarksdale families are sending their children to the Boys and Girls Club so they have a safe and supportive place to go after school.
Now, families are turning to the Boys and Girls Club for an option in the summer as well.
Clarksdale native Alexandria Henderson is the Unit Director of the local Club, which operates out of the
George H. Oliver School at 871 Ritchie Avenue. Henderson said families see the program as a haven.
“Our program serves students from lots of local schools, and it gives students a safe place to get support with their schoolwork, connect with other kids, and have fun,” she said. “We give parents peace of mind that their children are being supported with their academics, with mentoring, and with the opportunity to play with friends.”
The after-school academic programming is made possible with support from the Walton Family Foundation. The goal of the program is to address learning loss from the pandemic and foster individual academic and career goals, with a focus on positive youth outcomes.
Students aged 6 to 18 are able to enroll in the program. The after-school program costs $40 a month. However, the program is free for families with Magnolia Medicaid insurance.
On a recent afternoon, students completed a power hour – 60 minutes of homework help – and then played outside. Henderson said the Club prioritizes work before play, so students get their grades done before they go to run around.
The summer program will run five days a week from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm each day. To enroll, call the Boys and Girls Club at (662) 627-1105.
