Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County closes doors March 16-27

MARTIN COUNTY—To help avoid any potential health risks associated with the new coronavirus known as COVID-19, Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County is closing Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 27, 2020.

“At Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County, the safety of the youth and families we serve is our highest and most significant responsibility,” says Keith “Fletch” Fletcher, CEO. “But with a heightened awareness and growing concern about the respiratory illness caused by COVID-19, BGCMC is monitoring, planning, and preparing for public health risks that could affect the youth we serve, their families and our staff. That lead to the conclusion that temporarily closing our doors was the safest possible path.”

“We know this is an inconvenience for our youth and their families, particularly in making plans to accommodate work schedules,” Fletcher added. “We carefully weighed this decision and erred on the possibility that contracting the illness would create an even greater hardship on our youth and their families.”

More than 2,000 youth make up the membership at Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County’s four locations in Hobe Sound, Indiantown, Port Salerno and Palm City/Stuart. More than 85 percent of the Clubs membership qualifies for the Martin County School District’s free/reduced meals program—nearly twice the average districtwide. Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County serves more than 100,000 free meals to members every year. Membership in the Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County is free.

Fletcher said the organization acted in “an abundance of caution and following the guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, the Florida State Department of Health, and the example of our partners with the Martin County School District and neighboring school districts and Boys and Girls Clubs.”

The organization will continue working closely with local health and school officials and will provide updates in letters home, via email and on our social media, Fletcher said.

“We will assess the situation daily and react swiftly—and communicate comprehensively—to any new developments,” he added. “We appreciate the patience and appreciation of our youth and their families. Our Clubs are basically one big family, and as much as we love spending time together, unfortunately taking this time apart is the best thing to do. But we look forward to this event passing with as minimal impact as possible, and getting back to the enriching time we share.”

About the Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County

For more than 29 years, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County has provided award-winning programs designed to guide and inspire young people ages 6-18 to learn, emphasizing citizenship and good character, academics and healthy lifestyles. Each of the four clubs enjoys strong partnerships with local schools and communities. Such cohesion ensures that Boys & Girls Clubs’ programs complement and enrich the curriculum our members learn in class as well as remain attuned to the challenges and opportunities they face on a day-to-day basis. The clubs offer opportunities for fun, fitness, S.T.E.A.M. activities and certified teacher work with club members on everything from tutoring and homework help to specialized courses that prepare them for careers in a variety of trades.