Education

Boys & Girls Clubs help hundreds of Wake families find safe learning spaces

Boys & Girls Clubs in Wake County are helping hundreds of families cope with pandemic concerns.

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Boys & Girls Clubs in Wake County are helping hundreds of families cope with pandemic concerns.

The clubs adapted to the COVID-19 crisis to provide key services, including a safe place for remote learning.

Five days a week, groups of students who have trouble accessing virtual learning from home check in at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Wake County.

Boys & Girls Clubs help hundreds of Wake County families find safe learning spaces

With temperature and health checks and social distancing in place, the space provides a safe location for them to learn. It also keeps life closer to normal for working parents.

"They love coming here everyday," said Felicia Morris, who sends her children to the program five days a week. "They look forward to coming to the Boys & Girls Clubs."

In March, COVID-19 shutdowns forced the clubs to adjust to new needs of the community. Leaders wanted to keep their connection with kids and teens.

Leaders say students still need to interact with positive role models during the pandemic, like education director Shantelle Britt.

Britt makes sure the students practice the same safety protocols schools will require when they reopen.

"I think our [kids] will be a little ahead of the game because they'll be prepared on what that quest should be," Britt said.

For at least 30 weeks, the Boys & Girls Clubs have kept their food pantry open for struggling families. Club leaders say the pantry requires a lot of resources, including donations, to keep meeting these families' needs.

On Tuesday, the organization is holding their 18th annual Breakfast of Champions with keynote speaker Dereck Whittenburg from N.C. State's 1983 national championship team.

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