The Boys & Girls Clubs of Grand Rapids and Greenway (GR/GW) was selected as one of three local organizations to receive funding from the Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation’s Seeds of Change 2024 annual campaign.

The support came at a critical time, helping GR/GW serve rural, working-class families who rely on after-school care to bridge the gap between classroom learning and the end of the workday. Thanks to this funding and other support, GR/GW is able to provide a safe, supportive, and engaging environment that keeps young people on track to graduate from high school with a plan for their future.

At the start of the 2024-2025 school year, increasing demand and staffing shortages led the Grand Rapids and Greenway Clubs to merge their two locations into one site at Robert J. Elkington Middle School (RJEMS) in Grand Rapids. To continue serving students from the Greenway area, a new transportation partnership was formed with Palmer Transportation and ISD 316, enabling youth from Vandyke Elementary in Coleraine to be bused directly to the RJEMS site each weekday.

Although this shift placed additional financial strain on the program, the support from the Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation and other partners has made it possible to maintain this vital connection to Greenway families. While the temporary merger has been challenging, it has also created unexpected benefits: youth from both communities are building new friendships and learning together.

Lillian Wiggins, newly appointed Branch Director for the combined Grand Rapids and Greenway Clubs, has introduced a variety of weekly programs designed to promote friendship, inclusion, and academic enrichment. These include icebreaker games, cultural awareness activities, STEM experiments, arts and crafts, reading, and writing time—all aimed at helping youth build confidence, skills, and community.

Looking ahead, the Boys & Girls Club remains committed to meeting the growing need for quality after-school care across Itasca County. Every new member represents one more child with a safe place to grow, learn, and thrive.

“On behalf of the hundreds of youth served, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Grand Rapids and Greenway extend heartfelt thanks to the Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation and to all who have given to the Seeds of Change campaign. Your generosity is helping inspire the next generation of caring and responsible citizens,” states Britta Arendt, Development Director of Boys & Girls Clubs of Grand Rapids and Greenway.

If you would like to learn more or donate to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Grand Rapids and Greenway, you can contact Britta Arendt at barendt@bgcnorth.org.

You can also get more information or donate to the Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation’s 2025 Seeds of Change campaign on the Community Foundation website at gracf.org or call 218-999-9100.