District 70 partners with Boys and Girls Clubs to create first after school program in Pueblo West
PUEBLO COUNTY Colo. (KRDO) -- District 70 is celebrating the expansion of the Boys and Girls Club. Thanks to this, the district will offer after-school activities for students.
The Boys and Girls Club is an after-school program that helps families that need a fun and safe place for their children to go after school. The program offers homework help and fun activities for kids.
District 70 said many children in the district return home daily to empty houses after school. Officials with the district said that the time after school when parents are not home is when children could begin to get involved in crime and experiment with drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, and more.
However, D70 said when students participate in after-school programs, like the new Boys and Girls Clubhouse, they are less likely to miss school and participate in dangerous activities.
The money to expand this program came from the district and Pueblo County Commissioners. The district provided $100,000 and Pueblo County Commissioners provided $250,000. The funds will be dispersed throughout the next four years.
After the four years are over, District 70 said the Boys and Girls Club will be able to raise money from various entities.
According to District 70, some parents have been asking for a safe place to leave their kids while they are at work for a while.
"Parents have been asking for a Boys and Girls Club in Pueblo West for years," said Kylie Pickarts, Clubhouse Director for the Prairie Winds Boys and Girls Club.
The boys and girls club runs from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Prairie Winds Elementary school. Students who don't attend that school but would like to participate in the program can be dropped off by a parent or guardian. At this time, there isn't school-provided transportation to that location.
If you want to sign up for the boys and girls club, click here.
