Add another organization to the list of those ending face-to-face contact in Southwest Michigan due to the pandemic.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Benton Harbor (BGCBH) have announced this afternoon that they will cease all on-site programming and begin transitioning to virtual programming effective next Monday, November 16th.
The decision to end on-site programming comes in response to rising cases of COVID-19 in the communities and schools and with the guidance from local health officials.
BGCBH CEO Brian Saxton said that safety remains the Club’s first priority, adding, “Along with the rest of the world, we’ve been closely monitoring the evolving situation with COVID-19. It has brought uncertainty and disruption to the communities we serve, but the Boys & Girls Clubs of Benton Harbor’s top priority has not changed: the health and safety of the children and teens we serve.”
On Monday, November 16th, the BGCBH will continue to maintain appropriate relationships with members, check on their well-being, and provide much needed meals to continue their mission outside the buildings and without face-to-face interactions by:
- Activating the Grab ‘N’ Go Meal distribution process to provide free meals to children 18 years of age and under at the Fettig Youth Campus and the Joel E. Smilow Teen Center Monday through Friday from 3pm until 5pm.
- And distributing activity kits to area youth helping members reduce learning loss and maintain a sense of belonging at the Club
The BGCBH will begin offering programming virtually to members and area youth starting November 30th.
Located at 600 Nate Wells Senior Drive, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Benton Harbor has served the youth of Benton Harbor since 1998. The Club provides after school and summer programs promoting educational and career development, character and leadership development, and healthy lifestyles for nearly 1,200 youth and teens each year at the Fettig Youth Campus and Joel E. Smilow Teen Center, as well as community-based locations in Benton Harbor and neighboring areas. Learn more at http://www.bgcbh.org.
