KIDS WIN!!! UNIQUE COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP EMERGES!

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO -- August 2, 2011 -- With the Closing of the Family Resource Center, The Boys & Girls Club of Cape Girardeau and the City of Cape Girardeau Parks & Recreation Department has joined together to establish the Shawnee Center Rising Stars. The partnership, finalized on August 1, 2011, was initiated when the Family Resource Center made the decision to close their existing center on South Sprigg.

The Family Resource Center provided afterschool programming for South Cape children currently attending kindergarten through 8th grade, as well as summer camp. This service is considered essential to the South Cape area and the Board of Directors began the search for a solution.

The Board of Directors for the Boys & Girls Club of Cape Girardeau felt this merger would be a perfect fit. "We both have the same mission, and it's all about the kids," said Ted Yates, Chief Volunteer Officer/President for the Boys & Girls Club of Cape Girardeau.

The Boys & Girls Club of Cape Girardeau currently offers similar services to all Cape Girardeau youth. Because of the location, the Family Resource Center was more convenient to the families living in the southern areas of Cape. The opportunity to serve additional youth in the Cape Girardeau area keeps with the Boys & Girls Club's vision for continuous growth. Teresa Teague, Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club of Cape Girardeau expressed her feelings on the merger. "The continuity of a safe, happy learning environment for all youth is vital to this community."

In a joint effort with United Way of Southeast Missouri and the United Way LIFE Initiative, the Cape Girardeau City Parks and Recreation Department was approached about the possibility of the use of the new Shawnee Park Center building located at West End and Highway 74. The City is hoping to receive a $300,000 grant that would expand physical fitness programs for children and fund a playground system and additional sidewalks in the area. That funding would enable the Shawnee Center to provide the location and some transportation for the Boys & Girls Club of Cape Girardeau's unit located within their building.

With the merger of the Boys & Girls Club of Cape Girardeau and the Family Resource Center, the "Shawnee Center Rising Stars" has emerged. The afterschool programming offered at the Shawnee Center will continue in the tradition of the Family Resource Center. Pat King, the former Interim Director of the Family Resource Center, will continue to service the youth attending programming at the Shawnee Center as the Unit Director of the Shawnee Center Rising Stars, an extension site of the Boys & Girls Club of Cape Girardeau.

The Shawnee Center Rising Stars afterschool program will adopt the programming schedule of the Boys & Girls Club of Cape Girardeau. They will offer after school pick-up for the youth Monday through Friday, with programming ending at 5:30pm. A healthy snack is provided daily, with at least one hot meal delivered weekly.

Located at 1913 Whitener Street, the Boys & Girls Club of Cape Girardeau has served the youth of Cape Girardeau for over 10 years. The Club provides programs for more than 100 boys and girls in the areas of character and leadership development; educational enhancement; career preparation; health and life skills; the arts; and sports, fitness and recreation.

Those interested in helping can do so by making a tax-deductible contribution, donating supplies or scheduling a time to volunteer. Monetary donations are accepted at: Boys & Girls Club of Cape Girardeau, c/o First Missouri State Bank, #2 South Mt. Auburn Rd., Cape Girardeau, MO 63703. Please call 573-335-7141 or email info@clubcape.org for more information. Follow our news on Facebook at facebook.com/bgc.cape.

###