Youth Club Asks Help to Pay Insurance Bills

Representatives of the Boys and Girls Club asked the City Council this week for $25,000 to pay insurance bills due this month.

Club Executive Director Ruben Alvarez Jr. told officials that several insurance premiums are due and that the club does not have the money to pay them.

“We’ve been able to bring in enough money to keep the doors open and keep minimum staff, but in order to grow and outreach to more kids, we need additional funds,” Alvarez said.

“If the city can pay the insurance, it will still allow me to open the doors, write grants and hold fund-raisers.”

Council members agreed to consider the request and directed the city staff to review the options.

City Administrator Robert D’Amato said a staff report will be prepared for council consideration later this month or early in May. “Nothing has been approved or recommended,” D’Amato said.

Mayor Norman Z. Eckenrode spoke in favor of considering the youth club’s request. “We don’t want to see that place go down,” he said. “They’re doing a big service to us by keeping the kids off the street and keeping them active.”

Alvarez, hired in February to direct the 35-year-old club, said he is upbeat about solving its financial problems.

The organization has 650 members, with about 75 youngsters visiting the club each day. When summer arrives, Alvarez said daily attendance will likely double.

To pay for summer programs and extend hours, the club will launch a fund-raiser next week with the goal of enlisting 100 financial supporters who will donate from $100 to $500 each.

Of city officials, he said: “We’re confident that they believe the Boys and Girls Club has been a good investment in this community--and that they should be helping us in this hour of need.”

Information and donations: (714) 528-8140.