Operators of the Boys and Girls Club of the Midlands say there are not enough positive outlets for teenagers after school.
They're trying to raise nearly $25 million over the next four years to expand to three locations and renovate a fourth.
The architect behind the expansion says the new boys and girls clubs will help kids stay out of trouble, with positive role models and help with homework.
Two of the clubs will be built at Millard Central and Bryan middle schools.
“Study after study has shown that the time period between 3 o'clock and 6 o'clock is the most vulnerable time for any child, especially teenagers,” said Boys & Girls Club Board Chairman Tim Holland. “It's important for us to reach out to them with a fun, secure place that they can come to.”
Holland is more than chairman of the Boys & Girls Club of the Midlands.
He's the architect behind the project, with real-life insight from spending much of his childhood at Boys and Girls Clubs.
“This is a full circle for me,” Holland said. “It is an opportunity for me to give back not only to the community but I know specifically to those children, who we'll have a direct impact on younger kids and more importantly teenage times.”
Like two clubs already open late, two of the three new locations will have later hours to help kids stay out of trouble.
"This new program is going to extend our reach,” Holland said. “We're going to now move out into other areas throughout our community that have probably been hidden from the perception of the need.”
These kids at the 26th and Hamilton Boys & Girls Club say later open hours help a lot.
"It helps me a lot because I'm a pretty rowdy person,” said Middle Schooler Deon Davis. “I need to release a whole lot of energy and to know that there is a place is very helpful."
"It's a big difference because you're with your friends and everything and you always have a positive influence with the staff members to do your homework and then you have people from Creighton helping you and stuff,” said High School Sophomore Nico Felici. “It's a good difference.”
Construction on the first project will be the renovation of the Westside Westbrook Elementary Boys and Girls Club.
Construction on that will start in May.
The entire expansion is expected to be complete by 2020.
