Oak Orchard Boys & Girls Club to kick off expansion June 15

The Oak Orchard Boys & Girls Club will host a groundbreaking ceremony for its expansion project at 10 a.m., Wednesday, June 15.

Thanks to funds raised by the Great Futures Gala, the club is set to build a 3,200-square-foot addition comprising extra classroom space for delivery of Boys & Girls Clubs programs.

With a current capacity of 100 youth, the club maintains waiting lists for both its school year and summer programs. The additional space will enable the club to serve ages 5-12, increase enrollment by 50 members, and add programs for at least 20 teenagers each day.

"This project has generated significant local interest resulting in the funds raised to date,” said John Wellons, president and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware. “The expansion of our Oak Orchard Club allows us to provide increased services to the community.”

Originally built in 2001, the Oak Orchard Boys & Girls Club has played an active role in helping shape and support the community’s youth. While the programming focuses on its members, families derive an indirect benefit from club services. Parents of club members are able to be more productive at work or pursuing further education, knowing their children have a safe, supervised place to spend their out-of-school hours. Families also benefit from club services involving provision of food and family engagement at club social events.

The expansion will be built by Whayland Construction Company and is set to be finished in spring 2023.

Since 1931, Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware has enabled young people in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, 42 clubs serve 30,000 children and teens through membership and community outreach. Clubs provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun, friendship and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Boys & Girls Club programs promote academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. For details, go to bgclubs.org.