Boys and Girls Club of Grand Rapids and Greenway merges locations

GRAND RAPIDS — The Boys and Girls Club of Grand Rapids and Greenway combined its two branches into one location for the 2024-25 school year, citing insufficient staffing and funding challenges.

The club is located at Robert J. Elkington Middle School in Grand Rapids. Greenway students in the program will be bused from Coleraine.

"We know this comes at a time when families are left with very few options for childcare ... We also know this hurts the Bovey/Coleraine community tremendously as many families have come to rely on the Greenway Boys and Girls Club to be the bridge they need for their children between school and the end of the workday," said Isaac Meyer, Boys and Girls Club of Grand Rapids and Greenway advisory board president.

"For these reasons, we struggle with reducing our programming. However, we've found this is necessary for the long-term sustainability of the clubs and our ability to serve families at this time."

The Boys and Girls Club is an after-school program seeking to provide a safe place for kids to continue their learning, finish homework, spend time with friends and enjoy an afternoon snack and dinner.

A news release from the organization said the move to one location does not change its mission: "to empower and inspire all youth ages 6 to 18 in reaching their full potential."

"As we work to further diversify our funding sources, attract prospective employees and rebuild momentum for our program, the hope is this merger will be temporary," said Todd Johnson, Boys and Girls Clubs of the Northland CEO.

Earlier this year, the organization raised its cost from $20 a year to $60 a week on a sliding scale after losing grant funding.

Students attending West Elementary in Grand Rapids will also be bused to the middle school, while students at East Elementary will walk with a staff escort.