Clinton County Boys and Girls Club serves kids with 34,700 visits at three different locations in Clinton County. The non-profit is looking to expand to the Clinton Central, Rossville, Mulberry and Kirklin area if possible sometime in the future.
The Boys and Girls Club plays a key role providing families with a safe after school environment and stimulating educational and recreational opportunities. The Boys and Girls Club hosts basketball and soccer team opportunities with volunteer coaches.
Susie Michael, Executive Director of the Clinton County Boys and Girls Club was guest speaker at the Frankfort Rotary Club December 5th. Michael is currently serving as the Executive Director. The organization is in a growth phase after upgrading the 25 year old current location, adding another full time team member and seeking expansion to new areas of the county.
Normally the non-profit’s budget is $375,000 annually, with about $45,000 of that coming from the United Way for Clinton County. Thanks to a $617,000 grant that was part of a statewide 30 Million dollar Lilly grant, Clinton County Boys and Girls Club was able to turn two restrooms into four, rehab much of the building, install LED lighting throughout the building, provide additional staffing, purchase laptops and electronic educational materials for the children and other transformational improvements.
Now the Boys and Girls Club has 3 full time and about 20 part time team members plus 26 volunteer coaches who help deliver the program that results in 34,700 visits annually.
Boys Club started nearly 50 years ago above Shanklin Hardware on South Jackson Street. The Shanklin building was torn down and its land eventually became part of the Frankfort IVY tech campus. The Boys Club (becoming Boys and Girls Club in 1990) moved to the dark brick building directly south of Frankfort Fire Station #2 on North Main Street. The club serves Clinton Prairie with a before and after school care program and Blue Ridge and Green Meadows with a before and after school care program.
In a major transformational development enabled by Bill and Jean Beard and other generous donors, the purpose-built Boys and Girls Club current location on Green Street was completed in about 1999. Now with help from the $617,000 Lilly grant, the building is much improved and ready for the future.
Some of the additional programs and activities provided by the Boys and Girls Club this winter include:
- 114 families registered for Christmas help in co-operation with Shop with a Cop, Fire Fighters and Street Department
- 51 new winter coats donated to children in need in co-operation with Knights of Columbus and Lions Club
- Teen program from 6:30 to 9 pm MWF serving about 42 kids weekly aged 14,15,16
Frankfort Rotary Club presented Michael with a $264.00 check for the Boys and Girls Club after her presentation. Michael is a Rotary Club member and has twice served as Club President.
