Boys & Girls Clubs In Minnesota Partner With Local School Districts to Provide Emergency Services Childcare During COVID-19 School Closure

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Mar 24, 2020, 11:00 ET

ATLANTA, March 24, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Boys & Girls Clubs all across the country are responding to the needs of young people and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a part of that response, Clubs are partnering with local school districts and government agencies to identify what those needs are. For example, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota has teamed up with their school districts to provide childcare for emergency and healthcare workers, so that schools can focus on providing meals and preparing to provide distance learning for students.

"We are so thankful to be a part of a community that rallies together in times of hardship," said Mary Swingle, president and CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota. "We appreciate the round-the-clock work our schools are doing to ensure all students in the district receive meals during the school closures and that they have the tools necessary to successfully participate in distance learning. We know we couldn't provide this childcare service without the strong relationship with our schools."

Boys & Girls Clubs are strictly following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Minnesota Department of Health's guidelines to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all participants. Temperature and respiratory checks are completed upon check-in, programming is administered in groups of 10, social distancing and hand washing are being taught and practiced regularly, and all spaces are sanitized and disinfected constantly by Boys & Girls Club and school staff.

The governor's office has provided a list of those who qualify as emergency and health care workers and the list has expanded to a second tier of workers who are essential to keep our community's infrastructure going during COVID-19. Parents are encouraged to review this list, which can be found on our website by clicking here.

For more information about Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota, visit www.bgcmn.org. To learn more about what Boys & Girls Clubs are doing in communities all across the nation, visit www.bgca.org.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota
Since 1974, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota has provided hope and opportunity to tens of thousands of young people. More than 25 nationally tested and proven programs are available in the areas of education, the environment, health, the arts, careers, drug and alcohol prevention, leadership development, and athletics. These programs address today's most pressing youth issues teaching young people the skills they need to succeed in life. The mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota is to do whatever it takes to empower all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential. More information is available at www.bgcmn.org.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For more than 150 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, more than 4,700 Clubs serve over 4.7 million young people through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. They provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Club programs promote academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 54 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more at on Facebook and Twitter.

SOURCE Boys & Girls Clubs of America