One of the city’s long-standing childcare providers reopened its doors this week.
The Crawfordsville branch of the Boys & Girls Club, located on North Whitlock Avenue, is again responding to the needs of county residents during the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
This time, instead of closing its doors, the club is reopening in response to the sudden need for childcare as parents return to the workforce.
“As the school year ends and many parents are returning to work, childcare becomes a concern,” Montgomery County Community Foundation Chief Executive Office Kelly Taylor said. “The club is opening their summer program Monday, May 11 for children ages 5-12. Enrollment will be limited so that they can implement safety procedures related to COVID-19.”
Opening in the midst of a pandemic requires new safety strategies, which will increase the cost of the summer program, she said, but not for parents.
With a COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Grant of $30,000 awarded to the Boys & Girls Club, fees will remain unchanged for parents — $75 a week.
“Thank you for the donations many of you have made to our COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Fund,” Taylor said. “Your generosity has allowed us to make emergency grants totaling $135,000.”
Three other EAGs were awarded to the county’s school corporations to offset expenses in each district’s continued meal delivery service.
“We are grateful to the schools for stepping up to meet this need,” Taylor added. “It truly reflects the concern and compassion they have for their students.”
The club’s summer program runs Monday through Friday each week from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. until July 31 for children ages 5-12. Costs total $75 a week per child.
Priority registration will be given to existing club members and the children of healthcare and emergency service workers.
For more information about the Boys & Girls Club summer program, contact the club at 765-362-8912.
Donations to the Emergency Assistance Fund at the Montgomery County Community Foundation are still being accepted. They can be mailed to the Montgomery County Community Foundation, 119 E. Main St. Crawfordsville, IN 47933, or completed online at mccf-in.givingfuel.com/giving-page. The office remains closed to the public due to COVID-19 safety precautions.
For those involved with a nonprofit working in the areas of childcare, food insecurity or health and human services and require assistance, Taylor encourages visiting www.mccf-in.org/covid19-nonprofit-resources where grant applications can be found.