EFFORTS ON TO BRING BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF AMERICA TO CAPE

Children want to be around positive, adult influences and need a safe place to learn and grow.

That was the reason behind a visit to Cape Girardeau Friday by Fred Paulke, regional director of the Boys and Girls Club of America/Midwest. Paulke spoke with a small group of representatives from Caring Communities, the Community Caring Council, the Area Wide United Way and the Cape Girardeau Civic Center in an informational meeting about his organization.

"The Boys and Girls Club is a place kids can go after school so they can get off the streets," said Paulke. "We're successful because we offer a variety of activities and give the kids what they want most -- consistency and good programming."

The Boys and Girls Club serves youth ages 6-18 to get them out of their homes, off the streets and into organized programming. Recreation and sports are heavily utilized activities at most clubs, but emphasis is also placed on character and leadership development, education and career development, health and life skills and the arts, said Paulke.

"Conceptually, we are a place to go to play basketball, a place to go to play pool, and you know what, that's correct because that's what kids want," he said. "But that's just the hook to get them in the door. We have to focus on other things once they get there."

The desires of youth are catered to in the organization, which is why emphasis is placed on quality equipment, programming and staff. Youth are charged a small fee for membership, and they are asked to meet expectations while they are at the clubs, Paulke said. In return, staff and volunteers undergo training at the national, regional, state and local levels, and only the best equipment is used in any club.

"If the kids aren't coming to a club, it ain't the kid's fault," he said. "It's the lack of programming, the lack of supervision, the lack of positive influences -- it's our fault.

"I stay on my clubs about the condition of equipment," he said. "If a foosball table is ripped, fix it. If graffiti goes on the building, it's our responsibility to get it off, overnight if necessary. We must demand the best for our kids because they deserve it."

A number of Missouri clubs are opening around the state. A Jefferson City club is on track to receive a charter soon, and efforts are underway to begin an organization in Poplar Bluff.

Last year, former Missouri state legislator Jacqueline McGee led an effort to organize the Boys and Girls Club of Southeast Missouri. The organization serves youth in Dunklin, Pemiscot, New Madrid and Mississippi counties.

"The east side of Missouri is just blossoming and doing some great things right now," said Paulke, who helps local groups organize and apply for charters to the national Boys and Girls Club. "Painting the picture sometimes takes a while. We're just opening the canvas today and working with some of the colors to see what we might be able to create."

Paulke is scheduled to return to the area in mid-July. Participants attending Friday meeting will organize another informational session to determine the level of community support for the creation of a Boys and Girls Club for Cape Girardeau County.