The sudden closure of the Boys & Girls Club of Bulloch County this summer left hundreds of families scrambling. More than 200 children who once spent their afternoons in a structured, supportive environment were suddenly without care, and many working parents without options.
After the closure, the Statesboro Family YMCA stepped in to help bridge the gap.
The YMCA quickly expanded its after school capacity by renovating space at the former Sallie Zetterower Elementary School cafeteria. Thanks to donations from private supporters and the Boys & Girls Club, the facility now accommodates up to 127 children, more than double its previous enrollment cap of 55.
The Boys & Girls Club also donated a bus to the YMCA, and the Club’s longtime driver was retained to ensure continuity and familiarity for the children. This allows the YMCA to provide school pickups across Statesboro, a vital service for working parents who can't leave the office to handle transport themselves.
In addition, former Boys & Girls Club employees were invited to apply for new group leader roles and were given priority in hiring decisions. The result is a staff team that includes familiar faces and benefits from a high level of training and certification.
“All of our staff are CPR and First Aid certified and trained in fire safety, child abuse prevention, and youth transportation,” YMCA officials shared. “They’re also required to complete 18 hours of professional development per year—nearly twice the state’s minimum.”
For many families, however, cost remains a concern. The YMCA charges $62 per week for members and $83 for non-members, plus a $65 registration fee. For parents used to the Boys & Girls Club’s monthly rate of $125, the weekly model may feel out of reach.
“We know our fees are higher than what many families paid at the Boys & Girls Club,” said a YMCA representative. “But we are committed to making our programs accessible through financial assistance, the CAPS program, and support from community donors. No family should feel they are alone in this.”
How Can I Help?
With expanded capacity, newly added transportation, and income-based financial assistance, the Y is working quickly to absorb as many of the displaced students as possible, while calling on the broader community to help.
“Childcare is a community-wide issue,” a YMCA representative said. “It affects our families, our schools, our workforce, and our local economy. But more than anything, it affects our children. When we invest in them, we all benefit.”
Financial aid is available for children through both Georgia’s CAPS (Childcare and Parent Services) program and the YMCA’s own income-based assistance program, which is supported through the organization’s Annual Campaign. That campaign relies on donations from members, staff, and local businesses.
Community members interested in helping can go to www.ymcaofcoastalga.org, select “Give,” then choose the Statesboro Branch and the “Community Impact Campaign.” Donors can also specify in the notes section whether their contribution should go to a particular child or to the after school scholarship fund.
“Even small gifts make a difference,” YMCA staff said. “We’ve had families in crisis that were only able to enroll their child because someone in the community quietly stepped up and covered the gap.”