Note: please note that this page should (a) link back to the issue overview on this topic, (b) be focused either the local, state, national, or global level, and (c) be neutrally presented, based on facts, and include footnotes for each of the items.  See the Research Guide and Information Sources to assist you. 

• Issue Overview for After-School Programs.

Scope of the Problem  factual statements on the extent of the problem in the past, current, or future

• Introduction

  This Youth Development project began with a request from the Board of Directors of Stockert Youth Center (SYC) to gather data about the needs of students and parents in Upshur County, if SYC is meeting those needs and how best to improve services and programs at SYC.  A parent survey was designed and distributed to parents in January 2009 to begin to answer these questions. 

  Also in January, the Bonner Foundation began their Issue Brief Project in which each Bonner school was asked to identity one issue area in their community and conduct a research project on the issue that included a shirt literature search, history of the issues in their community, comparison to national programs and a research project pertaining to the issue.  The Bonner program at West Virginia Wesleyan chose Youth Development as their issue area and combined these two projects to complete the report below. 

• Local Research Strategy

  The Stockert Youth Center Parent Survey was distributed to all parents via their children in the elementary and middle schools in Upshur County during the week of January 9-16, 2009.  Due to snow days and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, collection of completed surveys took place later than expected with final copies being received on Jan. 23, 2009.  A total of 2700 surveys were distributed with 377 being returned (13.96%).  The return numbers by school are below:

   

• School	Number	Percent
  Union	54	14.3
  BU Middle School	13	3.4
  Tennerton	48	12.7
  French Creek	21	5.6
  Rock Cave	27	7.2
  Unknown/Other	214	56.8
  Total	377

The large number in the “Unknown/Other” category is due to the fact that some schools incorrectly returned their surveys to the district office instead of waiting for pick-up from the research team.  The Upshur County Board of Education office combined surveys into one pile making it impossible to distinguish between different schools.  The researchers firmly believe that there is representation from every school, even though exact numbers cannot be determined.  The majority of participants were residents of City of Buckhannon (62.7%) while the remaining were residents of Upshur County (37.3%) outside of the city limits.

Limitations

This survey was distributed to all parents via their children.  Therefore, it was dependent on the child delivering the survey home to their parent’s hands, the parent taking the time to fill the survey out and return it to school via their child.  While it is preferred to give surveys directly to parents, distribution via the school district allowed for maximum possibility of reaching every parent. Surveys of this kind often are answered by those parents who are either highly loyal to the organization or have concerns. 

• Results of the complete survey can be obtained by emailing Dean Kim Elsener at elsener_k@wvwc.edu.

Past Policy (Past Program)  key legislation and milestones including significant policy and funding shifts, major studies, etc.

• History of the Stockert Youth Center

  The city of Buckhannon, WV is a community full of youth ranging from all different statuses and backgrounds.  In the 1990’s Mrs. Stockert was a resident of Buckhannon who saw a need for a youth center, a place where these youths could come to learn, grow, and be safe.  As a response to this need, Mrs. Stockert left in her will $500,000 to the city commission to start a youth center in the city or if the money was not to go towards a youth center, it was to be given directly to West Virginia Wesleyan College.  Building this youth center would make Upshur County the fifth county in West Virginia with a youth center.  The City agreed to accept the gift to start a Youth Center that would be managed by Upshur County.  At that time, it was also decided that the Stockert Youth Center would being established/run by the community, not started through the YMCA, Big Brothers, Big Sisters or other national affiliated program. 

Current Policy (Current Program)  summary of current policies in the form of legislation, programs, and funding

• In 2004, SYC was turned over to the City of Buckhannon to run.  Since then there have been challenges to the Center including city opposition of the center, a non-positive image of the center, and funding to keep it running.  Funding is provided based on a tax-base of 4-5%.  Opposition has come in looking at how many students at SYC are actually from the City of Buckhannon and not the greater area of Upshur County.  Since it is city run and city funded, many feel it should stay within the city limits.

  Even though those standing against SYC are a small minority, their voices are loud and have a lot of say in the city.  The children benefiting from SYC have been looked at to see where they come from.  Most children attending SYC are from the city of Buckhannon.  They range from lower income families to higher income families.  To attend the after school program and to take part in the programs at SYC, including basketball and cheerleading, there is a fee.  However, there is a scholarship offered to those in need of it. Buckhannon has few places for children to come after school to learn and grow.  In the mid-80s, early 90s the movie theaters on Main Street and Kanawha shut down, leaving room for bars to sprout up and less room for youth friendly places.  Mrs. Stockert saw a need for change and she brought it about in the form of the Stockert Youth Center.

   

Policy Options (Program Options)  

• One option for SYC is to affiliate with a national youth development organization. The following organizations could be considered:

• YMCA

  The United States has around 2700 YMCAs which all respond to social needs by being one of the largest not-for-profit community service organizations in the country.  YMCAs serve thousands of communities all over the country bringing together 21 million children and adults of all ages, races, and backgrounds.  When it comes to the children and to the youth, the goal of the YMCA is to deepen positive values, their commitment to service and their motivation to learn.  At every stage of life, YMCAs are always available to assist children, families and individuals to reach their potential.

  Nearly 10 million children ages 17 and under participate in the wealth of YMCA activities and programs.  All together, YMCAs are the nation’s largest provider of child care with nearly 10,000 sites across the United States that provide high-quality, affordable care to more than 500,000 children.  Around 64 million households and 32 million children under the age of 14 live within 3 miles of a YMCA, while around 1,500 YMCAs serve communities where the median family income is below the United States average.

  At many YMCA facilities, aquatics are offered for all ages.  In the programs, children are taught to be safe around water and taught how to swim.  Other aquatic programs include infant-parent and preschool classes.  Other active classes include programs for health and fitness for children. Youth programs include preschool movement, youth fitness and kids’ gyms.  There are also sports programs offered which vary at each YMCA location.  Most popular youth sports are basketball, soccer and football.

  Besides health and exercise programs, there are also art programs offered at YMCAs. 2003 marked the 5th anniversary of arts and humanities as a YMCA core program.  The arts program has increased by 39%, and millions of dollars in program and arts facility development have been secured.  Such art classes that are offered are dance classes, pottery workshops, book readings and academics.

• Boys & Girls Club of America

  Mission and Objectives:

  The mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.  Every Boys & Girls Club provides:

  •    A safe place to learn and grow,

  •    Ongoing relationships with caring adult professionals,

  •    Life-enhancing programs and character development experiences and

  •    Hope and opportunity.

  History:

  Boys & Girls Clubs of America had its beginning in 1860 with a group of several women in Hartford, Connecticut.  Believing that boys who roamed the streets should have a positive alternative, they organized a club for youth.  In 1906, several Boys Clubs decided to affiliate.  The Federated Boys Clubs in Boston was formed with 53 member organizations – this marked the start of a nationwide movement. 

  In 1931, the Boys Club Federation of America became Boys Clubs of America.  In 1956, Boys Clubs of America celebrated its 50th anniversary and received a U.S. Congressional Charter, resulting in the allocation of federal monetary support.  In an effort to recognize that girls are equally a part of the cause, the national organization's name was changed to Boys & Girls Clubs of America in 1990.  Accordingly, Congress amended and renewed the charter.  2006 marked the Centennial year of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and the organization celebrated 100 years of providing hope and opportunity to young people across the country.

  General Information:

  Every day Boys & Girls Clubs inspire their members.  Whether encouraging young people to complete their homework, play sports or recreational activities, enter an art competition or have a healthy snack, the organization’s staff know the important role they play in creating positive environments.

  Within the United States, a national crisis is taking place with soaring high school drop-out rates, coupled with low fitness and high obesity within young people.  Boys & Girls Clubs are providing solutions to this national epidemic through challenging academic programs, engaging and fun nutritional tips, energizing sports and recreational activities.  Throughout the United States, clubs are reaching out to a generation at risk by providing positive guidance and engaging opportunities.

  Four key characteristics define the essence of a Boys & Girls Club. All are critical in exerting positive impact on the life of a child:

  1.    Dedicated Youth Facility - The Boys & Girls Club is a place – an actual neighborhood-based building, designed solely for youth programs and activities.

  2.    Open Daily - The Club is open every day, after school and on weekends, when kids have free time and need positive, productive outlets.

  3.    Professional Staff - Every Club has full-time, trained youth development professionals, providing positive role models and mentors.  Volunteers provide key supplementary support.

  4.    Availability/Affordability - Boys & Girls Club reaches out to kids who cannot afford, or may lack access to, other community programs.  As a result, dues are low, averaging around $5 to $10 per year.

  Funding:

  Boys & Girls Club receives federal monies to promote and sustain their programs as part of their overall funding.  One of the most prominent supporters of Boys & Girls Clubs in the federal government is U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT.).  He and others introduced bipartisan legislation in 2004, which would help communities combat the influence of drugs and gangs over youth by paving the way for more Boys & Girls Clubs around the country. 

  The bill, cosponsored by Sens. Orrin Hatch (R-UT), chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Mike DeWine (R-OH.), Joseph Biden (D-DE.), and Herb Kohl (D-WI.), extends annual grants from the Department of Justice (DOJ) to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America through 2010.  As a senior member of the Appropriations Committee and the ranking Democratic member on the Judiciary Committee, Leahy has been a long-time supporter of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America successfully convincing Congress to increase federal support for the non-profit organization from $20 million in 1998 to $80 million in 2009. 

  Under the bill (Senate Bill 2363), the annual DOJ grants increase each year, and the bill proposed $80 million for 2006, $85 million for 2007, and $90 million for 2008. Currently, $95 million is allocated for 2009, and possibly $100 million for 2010.  The funds would be used to help establish 1,500 additional Boys & Girls Clubs across the nation with the goal of having 5,000 Boys & Girls Clubs in operation by December 31, 2010.

  Additionally, the Boys & Girls Club of America receives money and support from the corporate world and corporate based foundations.  Some of these organizations include:

  •    AT&T

  •    Bank of America

  •    Charles Schwab Foundation

  •    Disney

  •    Gap Foundation

  •    Kraft Foods

  •    Macy’s

  •    Microsoft

  •    NFL Charities

  •    Sears

  •    Wal-Mart Foundation

  Structure:

  Within the Boys & Girls Club, the structure is highly organized.  The structure is similar to any other corporation, except that the organization is a non-profit.  Boys & Girls Club has a President and CEO, a Chairman of the Executive Board, and regional coordinators/chairmen across the country on the executive council.  In addition, they have a Board of Governors to make large organizational decisions and plans for the future.

  On a more local level, each club has full-time, trained youth development professionals, providing positive role models and mentors.  These volunteers provide key supplementary support to every child who comes into the organization.

• Link here to the After-School Programs overview page for the policy options and/or model programs related to this issue brief 

Key Organizations/Individuals   contacts for public and private organizations and key individuals

• Debra Brokleman, SYC

• Nikki Daniels, SYC
• Sara Fincham, SYC Vista
• Dave McCauley, SYC Board Member/ City Attorney
• Dr. Julia Keehner, SYC Board Member
• Dr. Robert Rupp, SYC Board Member
• LeeAnn Brown, FRN Board Member
• Joyce Harris-Thacker, FRN Director
• Carol Duffield, Parish House
• Sherri, Parish House
• Brandon Cale, Parish House (Student)
• Lianne Whitehouse, Parish House (Student)
• Bryson Morlan, Valley Green Site Coordinator (Student)
• Valley Green Students
• Kathy Turner, Project Isaac Project Coordinator
• Stockert Youth Center After School Program
• Valley Green Apartments After School Program
• Parish House After School Program
• Project Isaac After School Program

Bibliography   web sites, reports, articles, and other reference material