Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota

The organization's kidstop school-age childcare program is provided for kindergarten sixth graders in 13 area schools in the st. Cloud, sartell-st. stephen, and sauk rapids-rice school districts as well as athlos academy charter school. Kidstart is a pre-school wrap-around childcare program at oak ridge elementary in sartell. These programs provide preschoolers with quality developmental opportunities to help them transition seamlessly into kindergarten and the kidstop program. Both programs ensure that participating youth are in a safe place with professional, caring staff and volunteers and provide kids with tested and proven Boys & Girls club programs that parents know are vital for their child's healthy growth. In 2022, the kidstop and kidstart programs served 2,601 registered members. The organization provided 1,204 youth financial assistance to attend programs. The organization distributed $67,324 in scholarships through the Boys & Girls club/united way of Central Minnesota scholarship fund and an additional $232,593 through county childcare assistance.

The southside, eastside, and roosevelt Clubs are dedicated youth facilities owned and operated by the organization to serve youth in kindergarten graduation from high school. The Clubs are open monday - friday from school dismissal until 8 pm and in the summer from noon until 6 pm. The mission of the organization is to do whatever it takes to empower all youth to reach their full potential. Staff achieve this by providing youth with a safe, supportive environment; fun activities; positive relationships with peers and adults; increased opportunities to learn and develop; and recognition of achievements. There were 1,268 registered members at the Clubs in 2022. Staff prepare and serve daily snacks and meals for youth. This meal program is critical to the children and youth served by the organization, as 95% of registered members at the southside, eastside, and roosevelt Clubs are eligible to participate in the free or reduced school lunch program. In 2022, staff served a total of 70,901 meals and 130,862 snacks at the Clubs and eligible kidstop sites. By providing caring adult staff and a safe, positive place where kids develop self-esteem and the skills to succeed, the Boys & Girls club of Central Minnesota is changing lives and improving the landscape of our community's future.