The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Fox Valley’s priority is always the safety of the many children and youth we serve. We want the families and young people who depend on the Boys & Girls Clubs to know we are committed to providing as much support and help as we can, in a safe manner, for as long as the COVID-19 Coronavirus remains a public health emergency.
Closed to groups of Club Members
Unfortunately, because of the shutdown of all area schools from March 17 through April 6th to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, the Boys & Girls Club of Appleton and the Boys & Girls Club of Menasha will cease providing group-based services during this period of time. All our school-based Boys & Girls Clubs will close completely until the schools they are in reopen.
Our standard practice has been that when schools close, our Clubs in Appleton and Menasha remain open. However, given the nature of this situation, we regretfully must handle this differently.
Meal Service
We are concerned about the loss of our meal program for many of our Club members and so are planning to provide bagged meals for kids via a “drive-thru” set up at the Clubs in Appleton and Menasha. More details on this will be posted online.
Online Resources
Although we need to close many of our services down, we will work to provide as many opportunities and services as possible in an online, virtual fashion, and by telephone. For example, we will work with parents to supply access to our STRIDE learning environment and expect to be able to create online communities and virtual sessions for families taking part in our Center for Grieving Children. Our team members who work in our case management services will continue to reach out to children and youth during the school closure period by phone and also through the use of online resources.
In-Person Services
- Runaway & Homeless Youth Services – All services that are not based in the schools may continue. Youth in need may continue to call our hotline for help 24-hours per day at 920-731-0557.
- STAR & TRAC – Students in these programs may be able to meet individually with their STAR Coordinator or TRAC Case Manager at the Boys & Girls Club of Appleton or Menasha.
- Youth & Family Counseling – Licensed, no cost professional counseling services for youth and their families may continue.
- Other – Youth and families are encouraged to call our office at 920-731-0555 for all other urgent needs. We will work to provide as much assistance as possible given the current public health emergency.
We will provide updates through our website (www.bgclubfoxvalley.org) and via social media platforms as more information becomes available.
If you are looking for ways to talk to your children about the COVID-19 coronavirus, some helpful resources include:
- https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/02/28/809580453/just-for-kids-a-comic-exploring-the-new-coronavirus
- https://mysteryscience.com/mini-lessons/germs?loc=mini-lesson-button#slide-id-8055
- https://www.brainpop.com/health/diseasesinjuriesandconditions/coronavirus/
- https://youtu.be/OPsY-jLqaXM
