Boys & Girls Clubs seeks help with west Modesto expansion

One minute, the Boys & Girls Club in west Modesto rocked with the sound of children enjoying ping pong, foosball and other games.

The next, they quieted down upon hearing “one, two, three, eyes on me” from a staff member. They then went on to other activities during an afternoon that mixed fun with learning.

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The Boys & Girls Clubs of Stanislaus County expanded in June 2015 to this mostly low-income part of Modesto. It already had programs across town at Coleman F. Brown and Sylvan elementary schools and Somerset Middle School.

The west Modesto branch has been at the King-Kennedy Memorial Center, but it proved so popular that a modular building was installed next door at Mellis Park. Now the group is seeking donations to outfit it with furniture, kitchen appliances, interactive media and more.

“Our focus is on furnishing this west Modesto club,” said Lincoln Ellis, president and chief professional officer of the countywide group.

The 3,600-square-foot structure was purchased with $300,000 in federal grant money allotted by the City Council in January. At a Dec. 14 open house, supporters can see a list of what each room needs. King-Kennedy will continue to provide some of the club’s space.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of America has its roots in a girls’ program founded in Connecticut in 1860. It now has about 4 million members, from 6 to 18 years old, across the nation.

Stanislaus County joined in 2013 and is up to about 900 members, including about 150 in west Modesto. Each pays only $10 a year. Donations cover the rest of the roughly $1,100 cost per member.

They take part in after-school and summer activities that include homework help, sports, arts, leadership development and more.

“I learned how to be safe, be responsible,” said member Tamyra Ballard, 8, on that recent afternoon in west Modesto. She added that she enjoys a game called Pie Face, which mimics an actual pie in the face.

“The best thing is I get to play with all these games,” said Carnese Jackson, also 8.

“Everybody has fun and we meet new people every day,” said Kaira Gatt, 16, who as a junior staff member helps with signing in, signing out, providing snacks and other tasks.

Ellis said west Modesto parents had expressed the hope that the new club would discourage the teenage fights that sometimes happen in Mellis Park.

“We’ve seen a significant decrease in fighting in the park,” he said. “We’re just at the beginning of this type of impact we can have on this neighborhood.”

The Boys & Girls Club open house will be at 4 p.m. Dec. 14. The club is at 601 N. Martin Luther King Drive.

This story was originally published November 19, 2016 at 11:06 PM with the headline "Boys & Girls Clubs seeks help with west Modesto expansion."