Closures, Cuts for Boys & Girls Clubs

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington announced a restructuring plan Wednesday that includes closing or selling several facilities in D.C., Maryland and Virginia, pay cuts for full-time staff and senior executives, and across-the-board furloughs.

The organization says the plans will help them continue to serve thousands of youth around the Washington area, while still reducing their budget.

The group is laying off 10 percent of its full-time workers, mandating 26 days of furloughs, ordering executive pay cuts and selling or closing a handful of clubs.

The group says it will offer its services at neighborhood schools or recreation centers. The organization says it had started looking at restructuring two years ago, but the economy forced those plans onto the fast track. The layoffs began immediately.
 

Proposed changes in District of Columbia Clubs include:

• With the support of the DC City Council, establishing a new partnership at Anacostia Senior High School, offering several proven youth development programs including Passport to Manhood and SMART Girls at the historic school.

• Expanding programming in several other DC schools, including Ballou Senior High School and Oyster-Adams Bilingual Elementary School.

• Ceasing programming at the end of this school year and selling the Frank R. Jelleff Branch (Ward 2). The building and fields will be available for rental until the building is sold, provided the rental revenue covers the facilitys operating cost. DC Mayor Adrian Fenty included the intended purchase of the Jelleff site by the City in his 2010 Capital Budget. A purchase by the City should enable the Georgetown community to retain use of the Jelleff facility and fields and allow BGCGW to use its limited resources more effectively.

• The pending sale of Robert V. Murray Clubhouse #11 (Ward 8) and an agreement with the purchaser to continue BGCGW programming in the community.

• The pending transfer of Butler-Wyatt Clubhouse #2 (Ward 6) in 2010 to a nearby public facility. With generous financial support from a DC Regional Board member, BGCGW will continue to operate Clubhouse #2 in its existing facility, until the expected move in 2010.

• Close Hopkins Branch (Ward 6) at the end of this school year. BGCGW will work with member families to arrange to either transport the members to another BGCGW facility or to identify alternate programming.

• The Eastern Branch (Ward 6) is on the market and available for immediate occupancy. All interested parties should contact Bobby Meehling, CB Richard Ellis at 202-585-5530

• Questions regarding purchasing any of the BGCGW properties, other than the Eastern Branch, should be directed to David Smith, Woodmark at 202-857-4336

Actions affecting Maryland and Virginia Clubs include:

• Close Northwestern High School Branch in Adelphi at the end of this school year. BGCGW will continue to explore opportunities and partnerships to serve youth in Prince Georges County.

• Sell Silver Spring Branch, preferably, to a purchaser who will allow BGCGW programming to continue in a new facility. The Club will continue to provide its existing programming until a sale is final.

• Close Brent Place in Alexandria at the end of this school year, and transition members to the Alexandria-Olympic Branch, which is undergoing major renovations. Upon completion, the Alexandria-Olympic Branch will offer a complete range of programs.

• BGCGWs Metro Board has voted to close the Heiser Branch. However, the closure is being deferred while discussions are underway between BGCGW, the Prince William County Regional Board and Boys & Girls Clubs of America, to explore the most efficient model for governing and managing the Clubs in Prince William County.
   

The organization also announced that president and CEO Kevin Dowdell is stepping down to pursue other opportunities. In his place, Pandit Wright, a BGCGW Board member and former senior executive at Discovery Communications, will serve as interim CEO until a replacement is located.

For more details on the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington, follow this link to their website.