By Brian O’Shea, Plateau Daily News
Working families can breathe a little easier now that The Boys & Girls Club of the Plateau recently opened up a new facility in Highlands to address an ongoing need for out-of-school care in the area.
Pictured at the top of the article is a ribbon cutting ceremony marking the opening of the new BGCP facility in Highlands in May.
BGCP CEO Carmen Waite said only 23% of children in Macon County attend out of school care due to lack of availability and affordability.
“By providing free after school care starting this fall that includes transportation from Highlands school, we are addressing this important need, which is a huge support to area working families. As a youth development facility, we are focused on fun with purpose, serving the needs of the whole child regardless of age.”
A new media center at the Highlands BGCP facility.
The new facility is located on the Highlands-Cashiers Hospital campus. Some of the highlights include four classrooms that can accommodate 80 children aged Kindergarten through high school. Waite said there is also a fenced in play area, walking trails, and plans to create a garden in the future.
An outdoor area on the new BGCP campus.
“The new Highlands location will allow us to do more programming with Highlands Community partners like the Bascom, Highlands Land Trust, Laurel Garden Club, and Highland’s Biological Station. We also plan to do workforce programming with Highlands-Cashiers Hospital,” said Waite.
The Cashiers BGCP location at 558 Frank Allen Road served 454 youths last year and will remain open.
To learn more about BGCP, both highlands and Cashiers locations, click HERE.