Start-up cost for local Boys & Girls Club: $400k

By Jacob Brooks
The Daily News
Published/Last Modified on Monday, September 14, 2009 8:48 AM CDT


A Boys & Girls Club will not exist in Bogalusa unless there is a firm commitment from the community.

That was the message Thomas Falgout, the vice president of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Louisiana, delivered to a group of local residents who met at Louisiana Technical College Sullivan Campus Thursday.

And firm commitment has a price: $400,000.

Thomas Falgout, the vice president of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Louisiana, delivers a presentation to a group of local residents who met at Louisiana Technical College Sullivan Campus Thursday. DAILY NEWS PHOTO/Jacob Brooks

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Falgout said any start-up club must have the budget covered for it’s first two years, plus a plan on how funds will be raised for the third year.

“We’re not going to open a club unless you have that,” Falgout said, adding the annual budget for a club averages about $225,000.

Previously, proponents of a local club had said getting enough money for one-year’s budget would be enough to start a club.

But Boys & Girls Club officials want firm commitment from the community, and don’t want to see a club open and then close a year or two later, Falgout said. The Boys & Girls Club in Hammond recently closed due to a lack of commitment from that community.

“Communities all around the country want a Boys & Girls Club, but if the community cannot sustain it, it’s not going to work,” he said.

Falgout begun Thursday’s meeting with an overview of the Boys & Girls Club, an organization that serves 4.8 million children nationally and provides year-round after-school enrichment. Specifically, the club is concerned with education, child poverty, child obesity and high school dropouts.

“We have programs that address all of these things,” Falgout said.

Nearly 60 percent of Boys & Girls Club alumni say the club saved their life, either literally or by keeping them out of jail, Falgout said. And 90 percent of alumni go on to graduate from high school, he added.

“The education system can’t say that. The Boys & Girls Club can,” Falgout said.

A club, which serves children ages 6-18, requires a facility, full-time director, part-time staff, volunteers and a board of directors.

Currently, a steering committee, led by former Bogalusa City Councilman McClurie Sampson is in the process of trying to start a club in Bogalusa that would serve the entire parish.

 

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Comments

    Edmond Chandler wrote on Sep 19, 2009 4:47 PM:

    " We do have the WMCA and the YWCA. Are these not "boys and girls" clubs? In fact, I am told that we have TWO WMCA's. Perhaps we need to consider better funding and better management of the programs offered by these two existing "clubs" before we commit to another, new boys and girls club.

    What do YOU think, folks? The equipment in the YMCA is ancient. Can we do better?

    I am a member of the Snap Fitness Gym on Austin Street. state of the art! "

    Seymour Butts wrote on Sep 16, 2009 12:04 PM:

    " Why was this meeting not publicized in advance? There were volunteers who had attended organizational meetings and were supposedly on "the committee" who weren't even notified of the meeting.

    Failure to follow through is one the VERY FEW strengths in this community. The problem, of course, is that is far from being a strength.

    If you want volunteers, then keep them involved and not on the outside looking in, "

    Terrie Robinson wrote on Sep 16, 2009 10:16 AM:

    " because they had voted for higher sewage taxes. Now, did anyone ask them what the higher taxes was going to benefit(of course not). The people just don't want to shell out any more money except for getting high, drunk or getting rims or loud radio systems. Another thing is who in the community will be able to be a mentor at the "Boys and Girls" club. They don' t just need kids, they need mentors. And that just is slim picking around there. "

    AriesTaurus wrote on Sep 14, 2009 7:22 PM:

    " It's sad the youth of this area have few means of various clubs and/or recreation to keep them on the right path and out of trouble. New schools are badly needed also. None of these will be a reality until Bogalusa has a higher tax base. Look around at surrounding communities that are booming, this is so, due to a higher tax base.! Wake up people! "

    Tamara A. wrote on Sep 14, 2009 2:36 PM:

    " As someone who has been involved with local youth development organizations since 1997, I KNOW that this community does not have the resources to support yet another organization. I say let's put this time & effort into the existing organizations. I don't know the motivation behind this, but similar programs that are offered through B&GClubs are currently offered through several organizations that are already here. There are never enough resources or participants to run what we already have. Support our current organiztions, give your energy, ideas, time & money to them. "

    Once again wrote on Sep 14, 2009 10:51 AM:

    " This dream of a Boys and Girls club has floated around for over ten years in Bogalusa. Maybe it's time to stop beating this dead horse and put the time and resources behind the facilities and programs that exist.

    Raising funds is one thing but where are the volunteers to work the programs aimed at children in this community? The amount of funds required alone is greater than the entire budget of the Parish Wide United Way for a year!

    Where is the Y's programs for some of the children the "Club" is targeting? Volunteer! "

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