In recent years, Boys & Girls Club of Kenosha has launched several new initiatives to grow the number of youth it serves through its sports, recreational and educational after-school programming.
Since 2015, the club has seen its after-school program attendance increase from 67 youth per day to 234.
Recently, the club launched its Gus the Bus program, which offers free after-school busing to the Boys & Girls Club from nine low-income elementary schools.
“That’s when we saw our average daily attendance skyrocket,” said Jake McGhee, chief executive officer.
It also covers all busing costs for teens’ transportation to and from the club.
The club also recently remodeled its facility, with support from Haribo of America, to build out a new Tween Center, designated for youth ages 10-12.
“It’s made a huge difference,” McGhee said.
To sustain its growth, Boys & Girls Club of Kenosha has also experienced an increase in revenue. Corporate and individual contributions are up by more than $500,000, grant funding has increased by more than $200,000 and special event revenue has grown by $150,000.
“We’ve been aggressive in reaching out to new companies coming to the area,” McGhee said. “And although we are a nonprofit, I would say a lot of our job is to run it like a business and not a nonprofit. Thankfully, because of community support, we’ve been able to sustain that growth.”
1330 52nd St., Kenosha
Industry: After-school programming
Employees: 22
bgckenosha.org
