A local bank stepped forward Thursday to keep the Boys & Girls Clubs branch at the Ariel Glen and Ariel South apartments in southeast Bend open until the school year ends, the Boys & Girls Club of Central Oregon announced today.
President and CEO Terry Zink of the Bank of the Cascades “reached out to Boys & Girls Clubs leadership" to offer the bank’s assistance through the first quarter of 2013.
Boys & Girls Club of Central Oregon Executive Director Lisa Maxwell announced Oct. 18 that a dearth of federal funding in the coming year, along with other funding shortfalls, spelled the end of after-school programs at the Ariel Unit, at least temporarily. The club was scheduled to close Nov. 1.
“It was simply not acceptable to walk away from children and families who need us the most," Zink was quoted as saying. “I am challenging local leadership and resources to pool together and find funding sources for this high risk area for the remainder of the year and beyond. We need to wrap our arms around all of our youth and help guide them through the challenges that are placed in front of them."
More to come on this story in The Bulletin.
