Boys & Girls Clubs of Larimer County (BGCLC) was awarded $1,341,193 through the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) grant program that will cover the costs of before and after school programming for five school-based locations in the Thompson School District. These sites include B.F. Kitchen, Lincoln, Sarah Milner, Winona, and Laurene Edmondson Elementary Schools in Loveland. These sites will operate in addition to the two 21st CCLC-funded sites already in operation at Monroe and Truscott Elementary Schools. There is no cost for youth to attend 21st CCLC-funded sites.
The 21st CCLC grant supports out-of-school time programs to provide students and their families with high-quality academic enrichment opportunities. The purpose of this grant is to establish community learning centers that provide academic enrichment, offer a variety of youth development activities, and give families the opportunity to engage in their children’s education.
One of the students currently attending the program has an IEP for speech. She often struggles to find the confidence and right words to say. During a week where activities focused on animals and ecosystems in arctic climates, the student went home every day to share what she learned with her family. “She couldn’t stop talking!” said the student’s mom. Over the course of the program, the student has made massive progress in her speech. She is often the most vocal part of the group.
An additional aspect of this programming includes social-emotional learning activities and support from the BGCLC team of Social Workers. BGCLC hired their first Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in June of 2020. They offer group learning and individual counseling to members and staff at no additional cost. This support has given Club members the extra support they need to succeed socially, emotionally, and academically.