Editorial
Granite Falls needs a new Boys & Girls Club and the opportunities that come with it
Published on Mon, Oct 31, 2011 by BY PAM STEVENS | MANAGING EDITORRead More Editorial
Last week I was privileged to be able to judge the Youth of the Year competition at the Lake Stevens Boys & Girls Club. This was my second year of being able to participate in this worthwhile event.
Both years I have been impressed with the youth who are vying for the title of Youth of the Year and the opportunity to advance to the regional competition and then hopefully on to state and nationals.
Through their speeches, these kids have taught me a lot about not only what the Boys & Girls Club offers local kids but also the effect of having a stable and safe place to go before and after school.
Many of the kids who participate in the Boys & Girls Club’s before and after school programs would otherwise be left at home, alone, while parents are at work.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County offers a plethora of opportunities for kids including homework help, computer help, sports participation and a safe environment to go to when parents have to work.
They give them rides to and from school and provide them with strong role models in kids of all ages. Keeping our children safe and helping them feel safe makes communities a better place to live, teaches good values and encouragement to do homework and do well in school.
In 2005, The Boys & Girls Club of Granite Falls was closed when the club lost its lease and had to leave town.
That was six years ago and the kids living in this much-loved community deserve the chance to have a new Boys & Girls Club. Why should these kids be left out of the opportunities a Boys & Girls Club would give them?
In June, Snohomish County Boys & Girls Clubs launched a multi-million dollar campaign to renovate and build new Boys & Girls Clubs. Granite Falls is on that list.
The mayor is working on ideas to house the club in the old Granite Falls School District Administration building.
The citizens of Granite Falls need to climb on board the train and do whatever it takes to ensure their kids receive a bite of that $12 million campaign. They deserve the opportunities that come with having a Boys & Girls Club and hopefully someday soon I will get the honor of judging the Youth of the Year in Granite Falls as well as in Lake Stevens.
Both years I have been impressed with the youth who are vying for the title of Youth of the Year and the opportunity to advance to the regional competition and then hopefully on to state and nationals.
Through their speeches, these kids have taught me a lot about not only what the Boys & Girls Club offers local kids but also the effect of having a stable and safe place to go before and after school.
Many of the kids who participate in the Boys & Girls Club’s before and after school programs would otherwise be left at home, alone, while parents are at work.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County offers a plethora of opportunities for kids including homework help, computer help, sports participation and a safe environment to go to when parents have to work.
They give them rides to and from school and provide them with strong role models in kids of all ages. Keeping our children safe and helping them feel safe makes communities a better place to live, teaches good values and encouragement to do homework and do well in school.
In 2005, The Boys & Girls Club of Granite Falls was closed when the club lost its lease and had to leave town.
That was six years ago and the kids living in this much-loved community deserve the chance to have a new Boys & Girls Club. Why should these kids be left out of the opportunities a Boys & Girls Club would give them?
In June, Snohomish County Boys & Girls Clubs launched a multi-million dollar campaign to renovate and build new Boys & Girls Clubs. Granite Falls is on that list.
The mayor is working on ideas to house the club in the old Granite Falls School District Administration building.
The citizens of Granite Falls need to climb on board the train and do whatever it takes to ensure their kids receive a bite of that $12 million campaign. They deserve the opportunities that come with having a Boys & Girls Club and hopefully someday soon I will get the honor of judging the Youth of the Year in Granite Falls as well as in Lake Stevens.
