The Board of Directors of Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Oregon announced to the parents of Ariel its decision to discontinue youth development services as of November 1 at the Ariel Unit, located at 1707 SE Tempest Drive until committed resources are available for the sustainable future. Board asks public for help.
Due to retracting revenue from federal, county and city funding along with diminishing levels of corporate, individual and funding from special events, the board of directors reported that it finds itself in the terrible situation of having to eliminate services at a time when the number of youth who need affordable care is rising.
“Closing a location and having to look these children in the eyes and tell them they will have to find alternative care is heartbreaking. We have been through this extremely difficult situation before, so to have to be in this position again is painful,” states Kate Bailey, board president.
Youth members attending the Ariel Unit will be encouraged to attend the downtown location at 500 NW Wall Street, Bend beginning November 1. However, transportation will remain a barrier for Ariel youth. The Board anticipates that parents will not be able to pay for transportation nor will they be able to help their children access the downtown Club. Other after-school providers are being encouraged to fill the gaps.
Annual operating expenses for the Ariel Unit total $105,000 and expenses have been offset by funding sources such as OJP federal funding, county funds, Emergency Food and Shelter grants, United Way, grant writing and private fundraising efforts. Each funding source has diminished and is projected to remain at reduced levels through 2013. Therefore, the branch is anticipating a $75,000 operating shortfall. Housing Works, a longtime partner and owner of the Ariel Glen and Ariel South apartments has offered assistance, but it is only one-quarter of the funding required.
“During the organizational annual fund drive, called ‘It Just Takes One’ we were hoping to raise additional funds. Our fundraising has remained steady –but has not increased significantly. We have not been able to double the amount we typically raise –as we needed to do to cover the anticipated losses,” states JoAnne Sutherland, VP of Fund Development.
Sutherland continues, “Certainly, if there is a funding source we have not already reached out to or connected with who would like to step up and help scholarship these youth –that would be the best case scenario. We have to work within an annual budget that matches our expenses to our revenue and right now that is not the case.”
The Board of Directors is encouraging the community to assist in two ways. First, the Board is looking for entrepreneurial leaders to fill Board roles. The dedicated team leading the Board has done an exceptional job in setting the organization up for long-term success and now is looking for individuals who are passionate about our youth and thrive in finding solutions and resources to solve challenges facing kids such as being college ready, learning job skills and staying fit and active. Essentially, the Board needs fresh legs to move it to the next level.
Second, the community is being asked to give generously and donate through the annual fund drive “It Just Takes One” so that scholarship funds are available to disadvantaged youth, including youth living in the Ariel apartments who can transition to the Bend Unit and those attending the Redmond and Terrebonne locations. Donations can be made at www.bgcco.org or by mailing a check to 500 NW Wall Street, Bend Oregon 97701.
Background on the Ariel Unit
The Ariel Unit began in June 2005 as a partnership between Housing Works and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Oregon. The Ariel Glen and Ariel South apartments are located in southeast Bend. The housing communities are in middle- to lower- income neighborhood consisting primarily of single family homes. The properties are across the street from each other and are within two blocks of a major park and elementary school. Ariel Glen consists of 70 multifamily units and serves families earning 75% or less of Area Median Income.
The Ariel Unit has an annual registered membership of 106 and 39 youth are served on a daily basis. Youth served by additional outreach during activities and events totals 128. The Club operates Monday-Friday for four hours a day after-school and during the summer for seven hours a day Monday – Friday. 43 percent of the Club members have been attending the Club for two or more years, so many are tenured members.
For more information, please contact Lisa Maxwell at llmaxwell@bgcco.org or (541) 617-2877 ext. 13.
