Boys & Girls Clubs gets $822K grant

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield was chosen for a federal grant to the tune of $821,751.

Through the U.S. Department of Education’s 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant program, the funding is earmarked for the nonprofit’s programming at Springfield Public Schools’ Fremont Elementary School, according to a news release. The five-year grant covers programming for K-6 students who are at least 6 years old.

The grant approval affirms research by a Boys & Girls Clubs committee earlier this year. As Boys & Girls Clubs CEO Brandy Harris was taking the helm from the retired Pat Gartland earlier this year, she created and led a 21st Century committee to explore SPS’ needs.

At Fremont, the committee found many students have working parents, making it clear that Boys & Girls Clubs should focus on before- and after-school educational programming, such as science, technology, engineering and mathematics classes. Fremont has nearly 350 students.

“It is incredible what can happen when dedicated people come together for a common goal. I am so grateful to everyone who played a part in this accomplishment,” Harris said in the release. “Club staff and community leaders worked really hard to make this happen and now, we can make Springfield a better place for more kids.”