OST Success Stories

 THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF ALPENA (BGCA) 

A Local Institution That’s Always There for Youth 

The Boys & Girls Club of Alpena (BGCA) has served youth throughout the local community since 1926. Today, BGCA is practically alone in the region in providing affordable, year-round, out-of-school time (OST) programming, both after school and during the summer. 

For a nominal annual membership fee, school-aged youth can participate in BGCA’s high-quality OST programs. Parents find it highly valuable, as CEO Bradley Somers put it, “[t]o be able to bring [their] kids to a place that’s safe, that has trained professional staff that works with the kids and provides many opportunities, with a free meal each day.” BGCA also conducts outreach activities for youth in the community, involving them in special projects, volunteerism, and mentoring initiatives. 

GUIDED GRACE FAMILY & YOUTH SERVICES 

Enrichment and Mindfulness Camps Are Effective 

“When we heard about the Section 23e grant opportunity we thought, this is just for us,” Nicole Liggins, co-founder of Guided Grace Family & Youth Services in Saginaw, Michigan. “Saginaw is in dire straits and needs help to support our youth.” 

Guided Grace Family & Youth Services (https://guidedgracefys.com/), a tax-exempt nonprofit organization, was established to address challenges brought on by Saginaw’s loss of its manufacturing base in recent years. The organization promotes mental health and wellness within the community, but without more funding, its leaders knew it could not address all that should be done. Then Guided Grace received some good news. 

THE LOWELL Y 

State YMCA Network Member, Community Mainstay 

For years the community of Lowell, Michigan has been well-served by the Lowell YMCA, one of seven branches of the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids, which itself is a member of the State Alliance of Michigan YMCAs (Y Alliance). Operating out of its storefront facility, the Lowell Y, a local community-based organization (CBO), has long provided out-of-school time (OST) programs in local schools, both during the school year and throughout the summer. Many area families trust the Lowell Y for providing a safe place where children can enjoy high-quality care while learning and growing through healthy physical, academic, and social emotional learning (SEL) activities and experiences. 

AT BAT YOUTH SPORTS 

A Motown Original Out-of-School Time Program 

In November 2015, entrepreneur and serious baseball fan Delrisha Hayes founded At Bat, Inc., a community-based organization (CBO) that focuses on out-of-school time (OST) services to provide baseball and softball activities for youth in urban communities. African Americans have been under-represented in major league baseball, and she knew that children in Detroit, and elsewhere, were less likely to learn and participate due to limited access to transportation, equipment, and program availability. 

Today, with support and training from the Youth Development Resource Center (YDRC), At Bat provides programming after school at partnering schools and through summer camps in the community. Participating youth enjoy the benefits of physical activity (and a healthy snack) as they learn the fundamentals of baseball. Enrolled youth also develop their academic knowledge and skills in literacy, SEL (social emotional learning), and STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics).