Boys & Girls Club of the Ozarks opens door to opportunity this school year

As students return to class, afterschool programs provide safety, support and success.

As classrooms across the Ozarks fill with students for the start of a new school year, many parents are once again balancing work schedules and afterschool care. While nearly 50 million children nationwide are heading back to school, research shows that nearly half will not have a safe, supervised place to go when the final bell rings.

That is where the Boys & Girls Club of the Ozarks steps in.

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Photos submitted by Boys & Girls Club of the Ozarks

With locations in Branson, Crane, Forsyth and Reeds Spring, the Boys & Girls Club of the Ozarks provides a safe, supportive environment for local youth during the critical hours after school. Each day, the organization serves nearly 500 young people, offering programs that help children and teens succeed academically, build healthy relationships and develop leadership skills.

Every afternoon, the Club opens its doors to provide young people with a place where they are safe, seen and supported. For many families, the Club serves as a second home, offering not only supervision, but also mentorship, academic support, healthy meals and opportunities to build confidence and life skills.

"The hours after school can be some of the most important in a child's day," said Stoney Hays, Chief Executive Officer, Boys & Girls Club of the Ozarks. "Our goal is to ensure every young person has a safe place to go, caring adults to support them and opportunities that help them reach their full potential."

The impact of Boys & Girls Clubs nationwide highlights just how important afterschool programming can be. Across the country, 99% of Clubs provide free afterschool meals and snacks, helping address food insecurity while keeping children energized and focused.

Academic success is another key outcome. Four out of five Club members earn mostly A's and B's in school, while 83% report attending school consistently. In addition, 97% of Club youth expect to graduate from high school, demonstrating the positive influence of consistent support and encouragement.

Beyond academics, the Club focuses on building strong relationships and fostering emotional well-being. Nine out of 10 Club members say they have a caring adult they can turn to at their Club, a connection that can have a lasting impact on a young person's confidence, resilience and future success.

For families throughout Stone and Taney counties and the surrounding communities, these programs help fill a vital gap between the end of the school day and the end of the workday. They provide peace of mind for parents and meaningful opportunities for children to explore interests, develop leadership skills and form positive friendships.

These aren't just afterschool programs. They are pathways to success.

As the new school year begins, the Boys & Girls Club of the Ozarks remains committed to opening doors for local youth and ensuring that every child has access to the resources and relationships they need to thrive. America needs Club kids: future leaders learning and growing in the hours that matter most.

By opening the door to a Boys & Girls Club, our community opens the door to opportunity, achievement and a brighter future for the nearly 500 youth served each day at Club locations in Branson, Crane, Forsyth and Reeds Spring.

For more information about Boys & Girls Club of the Ozarks programs, enrollment opportunities, or ways to support local youth, visit www.bgcozarks.org.