Families in Dresden will soon have a new option for afterschool care with the opening of a new Boys & Girls Clubs of West Central Missouri Club Site. The Dresden Site will offer high-quality afterschool programs to all students at Pettis County R-XII, beginning August 23.
“We are very excited to expand our services to the Dresden community,” said Director of Operations Tyler Hudson. “We are always striving to serve more members and expand the impact of our programming focusing on the areas of academic success, good character and citizenship and healthy lifestyles.”
Program Director Melanie Osteen will lead the new site; Osteen was previously a Youth Development Professional at the Club’s Washington Site and has an extensive background in children’s programming.
“I’m excited to see all the new faces and the opportunity to get kids involved in the Club,” she said. “Afterschool care is so important, a lot of kids go home afterschool with no one there to look after them which can lead to some risky behaviors. At the Club, we’ll be able to offer them a safe environment.”
The Dresden Site will offer a variety of programs including Power Hour homework help, coding, robotics, outside and organized play, healthy lifestyle programs, service opportunities and more. Osteen said she’s most looking forward to the STEAM Program.
“STEAM and Coding were what I was in charge of at the Washington Site and I know how much the kids loved it,” she said. “Sometimes they don’t get the opportunity to do coding during the school day, so seeing this fun and educational program through their eyes is great.”
“We are really looking forward to having Boys & Girls Club come to our district to provide additional support for our students and families after regular school hours,” said Pettis County R-XII Superintendent Travis Moore. “We recognized a need to offer after school care for our busy working families and are excited to be partnering with Boys & Girls Clubs of West Central Missouri this year.”
“The partnership with Pettis County R-XII to establish the Dresden Site strengthens our foothold to impact the lives of more young people and fulfill our mission to inspire and enable all young people to realize their full potential as caring and productive citizens,” said Executive Director Gary Beckman.
