Meeting the need

LIHU‘E — In an effort to better serve and support students on Kaua‘i, the Boys &Girls Club is changing its programs from “afterschool” models to “out of school time clubs,” said Tina Albao, the Boys &Girls Club of Hawai‘i Kaua‘i director of operations and development.

“Our model would include two days, A or B, which will align with youth attendance in school, or distance learning,” said Albao. “Paddy Kauhane, the BGCH president and CEO’s goal is to align programs as efficiently as possible with school schedules, maximizing service to youth, in safe environments, and in conjunction with government safety measures.”

Albao said the recent summer program served as a good base for getting into the new “out of school time club” model as it provided youth with educational and creative entertainment with provisions for recreation within the framework of health and safety rules, including wearing face masks and social distancing.

“BGCH will support kids while they are out of school by allowing our members to come to the clubs — West Kauai, Lihu‘e, and Kapa‘a — where adult youth mentors are available to help them with the studies, youth are also able to use club technology and WiFi connectivity, all the while the club provides additional resources such as drug and alcohol prevention, leadership opportunities, programs such as Youth of the Year that are affiliated with scholarships, sports leagues, and other learning opportunities.”

The summer program was offered at the three BGCH sites and a satellite site at Kukui Grove Center because of a grant that allowed the extra space. The grant covered the summer program only, and Albao said, based on demand and funding, BGCH can expand beyond the three clubhouse sites.

“I don’t want to speak on behalf of all parents, but there is quite a bit of anxiety with children just leaving their homes to play with their friends,” Albao said. “This pandemic is very serious, and anyone with a child is fearful of his/her child contracting the virus. I know first-hand. I’m a parent.”

Participation in a program is not a guarantee that people will not catch COVID-19, but there are best practices — Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami has made it very clear what those best practices are — wear a mask when you are outside of your family unit, no unnecessary travel, and keeping a physical distance between yourself and others of six feet.

“At the clubs, best practices would include taking temperatures on arrival, physical distancing, washing hands often, keeping masks on, sanitizing areas regularly, using your assigned supplies, entries and restrooms, and always being sensitive to others by not leaving home when you are sick,” Albao said. “The Department of Health is also monitoring and supporting schools and nonprofit organizations with the most current information. Children need to be a priority. Their education is a priority, and health and safety is a major priority.”

Albao said information for BGCH registration should be available after funding requests are done to support BGCH members and their families with out of school programming.

For information, call the Lihu‘e Clubhouse at 245-2210, the Kapa‘a Clubhouse at 821-4406, or the West Kaua‘i Clubs at 320-8353.

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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.