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Boys and Girls Club to open Monday

Safety remains the number-one priority of Boys and Girls Clubs of Alpena, and we are doing everything possible to keep children, our staff, and volunteers protected from the COVID-19 virus. Given the state of the virus, recommendations from health professionals, and state guidelines and requirements, the club plans to reopen on Monday, June 15 with the following limitations for attendance in place:

∫ General Programming will take place three days a week, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Youth Volunteer Corps program will take place on Tuesday and Thursday beginning June 18.

∫ Hours of operation are 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Youth will receive a lunch and snack each day.

∫ The Club will be operating with reduced capacity due to social distancing and state requirements.

∫ The Club will be facilitating several summer sessions to engage as many youth as we can with these limited capacity requirements. Previous attendance was drop-in and now we are requiring appointments to increase safety for members and staff.

∫ Youth attendees and their parents will be required to complete a virtual membership application, review the updated Parent Manual, complete online orientation video and applicable waivers to participate in summer sessions.

∫ Youth are required to wear a face mask. Club will provide this resource to the youth, if needed.

∫ Daily screening questionnaires and temperatures will be collected and tracked before entering the facility. The Club has an updated drop-off/pick-up procedure to make sure that the safety and wellness checks are completed.

“This Board has worked hard, as has the staff, to ensure we have a positive place for our kids during the summer,” said Board Chair Kevin Skiba. “Though this pandemic has presented many challenges in offering a traditional summer program, I am so very proud we can offer programs that will be fun and educational, while taking every precaution for the safety of our staff and members.”

During the closure, staff cleaned, disinfected, repainted walls, fixed or threw out broken items, and participated in professional development and training. The Club was also committed to ensuring weekly meals were provided to youth and their families during the pandemic.

Cleaning procedures will commence while members are present and after they depart. Equipment, supplies, program space and all related high-touch areas will undergo thorough sanitation each day. All staff will undergo wellness checks that include health surveys and temperature checks. Frequent hand washing, following U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, will be built into the program schedule. Social distancing, masks, and gloves are required for staff throughout the day.

We continue to monitor all updates from the CDC, State of Michigan and District Health Department for updated information, and are advising all staff, families, and youth members to continue to take precautions as recommended.

We realize that Boys and Girls Clubs of Alpena is the only place that some of the families in our community can turn to when schools are closed. We are monitoring this diligently and will continue to operate with these limitations in place as long as we are able to provide a safe environment for young people. As always, we place the safety of our youth and staff at the highest level. We look to build capacity as the summer progresses and as State requirements and guidelines are loosened.

“The Boys and Girls Clubs of Alpena has been a vital component of this community for over 94 years. Its commitment to youth has never wavered,” said Executive Director Bradley Somers. “The Boys and Girls Club of Alpena is that unique place where youth can grow, learn and come to understand just how special they are. We are committed to doing everything needed to ensure their safety. We have missed these youth, and we can’t wait to see them again.”

If community members have additional questions, please contact 989-356-0214, Club’s Facebook page or visit bgcalpena.org.

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