LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Reopenings may reveal more about just how minorities have been disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus, and the great need for childcare and student activities there is in Louisville's West End. That's what Shawnee Boys & Girls Club Unit Director Clanesha Coleman tells Spectrum News 1.
The section of Louisville where residents often go overlooked, has a great service in the Boys & Girls Club, says Coleman: "Boys & Girls Club is here to serve those who as you said 'may be overlooked.'"
"I really feel like everything that's going on in regards to giving everyone — especially minorities — giving them the opportunity to express how they feel you know, highlights the need," Coleman continues, referencing the protests against racism and inequalities.
Since the pandemic began, after school and summer camps were canceled; however, it remains open as a feeding site where families can get food each day. Come July 6, the summer program will resume with limited hours and a limit of 50 kids inside the building. The staff has felt the cutbacks.
"You know my staff, a lot of the people that we had to let go cannot be rehired at this time. So, where does that leave them? Still unemployed. You know there's kids that I absolutely, I love all my kids. All the kids that I love, absolutely love, cannot all come at once," Coleman explains.
The limit on capacity has even made it difficult for Coleman to keep grant funding, which relied on how many people are served. Meanwhile, childcare centers across the state report in surveys they may be forced to close and go out of business if the limited way of reopening continues for so long.
"That's alarming to me because we also kind of fall under that. Nine months out of the school year we're an after school program," Coleman remarks. She calls the pandemic a "wakeup call" for people to see the need there is for children's programs and family resources in the West End.
"Our kids face a lot of adversity," she says, "it's a lot because...it is disproportionate...a place like Boys & Girls Club is needed. It is. To keep our kids off the street, to keep them engaged, to keep them educated. You know we try to make it as fun as possible."
She hopes people will continue to be compelled to give beyond the "crisis" phase and into the new normal. People can donate funds or volunteer. There's already a full list of 50 children to enter July 6, but Coleman encourages parents to apply if interested anyway, in case openings come up.