Parents Worried About Changes at the Boys and Girls Club
While members of the community express concern, Boys and Girls Club director says everything is fine.
Photos
Concerned parents and members of the community say they fear the local Boys and Girls Club is in decline.
Hot meals are no longer served after school, the dance class was moved uptown, and, they said, outside groups are taking over club space and time.
Club leadership, however, says there is an explanation for all of it.
"It was a wonderful place for a kid," said one parent who wished not to be named. She said that after spending thousands of dollars on an afterschool program for her child, she was surprised to find a quality program for just $12 a year at the Boys and Girls Club. But now, she said, the club has reduced its services, most notably the hot meals program, which was replaced by a snack program about a year ago.
"Every child got a warm meal," she said. "It was chicken, baked chicken, with rice and beans. They’d have chili. I saw they had a little shredded beef. They had a good meal with protein every night." And the kids need it, she said, since many of them live in the Hoboken Housing Authority and have parents who are "low-functioning," meaning alcoholics or addicts.
Without the meal at the Boys and Girls Club, the parent said, some kids would go hungry.
Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Hudson County Gary Greenberg said the decision to end the hot meals program had to do with efficiency, not with funding.
"It took up a tremendous amount of time with prepping it, serving it, cleaning up after it," Greenberg said. "It cut down so much on activity time." Now the kids are offered a Rice Krispies Treat and Kool-Aid.
The parent said other parents are “following the food” and now sending their children to the Jubilee Center, a local non-profit organization that provides afterschool care and summer programs for underprivileged children.
Jubilee Center Program Director Craig Mainor wrote in a recent email that the center has had “an influx of children” in the last few months, but he believes it has more to do with Hoboken Day Care 100, a federally funded program, closing the facility on Grand Street last year.
“The Boys and Girls Club and the Jubilee Center have often shared enrollment in that many of our children have, at some point, been enrolled at the Boys and Girls Club and vice versa. We currently have a ‘big’ enrollment, but I can’t say that it’s because of our food program," Mainor wrote.
Greenberg said the elimination of the hot meals program did not cause a decrease in attendance at the Boys and Girls Club and that he might consider providing more food for the club kids in the future. “If there’s a way we can bring it back without it totally dominating the day or enhance the program that we have to come as close to a hot meal program, we are looking at ways to increase what the kids are eating after school,” he said.
Parents and club staff have also cited the loss of a dance program for club boys and girls of all ages as evidence that the club is diminishing. Greenberg said the club had received a short-term grant that had allowed the organization to hire one of its own staff members, Derrick Ladson, to teach the class. That grant eventually expired, said Greenberg, and another grant for Save The Youth, an afterschool program that receives some funding from the city as well as other sources, allowed the class to continue, but it was no longer part of the club.
Greenberg said it was Ladson’s decision to move the dance class to Hoboken High School, about ten blocks away at 800 Clinton St., because the school has a dance studio.
“The only reason why the dance program went up there is because he had a better place to dance,” said Greenberg. “It was better for him. It was just a better place to run a dance program.”
Ladson was unavailable for an interview before publication of this article.
People with ties to the club have also voiced concerns that outside groups have started subleasing space and, therefore, taking away time when the club kids could be using the facility. A local synagogue holds services at the club on Saturdays. Alcoholics Anonymous meets at the club on Sundays. And ZogSports, a social sports league for young professionals, sometimes uses the gym. The group also uses the Boys and Girls Club facility in Jersey City.
Greenberg said ZogSports only uses the gym after club hours end at 8 p.m. “It does not compromise what we do,” he said. But staff at the club said the group has interrupted the club kids’ practice.
Greenberg said renting space at the Boys and Girls Club “has always been a source of funding for the boys club” nationwide and that the revenue made in Hudson County is used for operational costs. He explained that the Boys and Girls Clubs of Hudson County raises money as a single organization to support facilities in Hoboken and Jersey City, not one or the other, at any given time.
Greenberg said it costs about $3 million a year to run all the facilities in Hudson County, and that figure includes approximately $500,000 for Hoboken. Greenberg added that Hoboken has been operating at a loss for several years. However, since Spanish immersion charter school HoLa moved onto the second floor of the club’s building, the Hoboken facility’s finances have gotten better.
“HoLa has improved the situation,” Greenberg said. “Now I think we should be running close to even, finally.” Other groups, he added, haven’t made much of a difference in the past few years. Alcoholics Anonymous has been meeting at the Hoboken facility for free for decades, Greenberg said.
The club’s subleasing has gotten out of control, said the parent who wished not to be named. “They are whoring themselves out just to get more money,” she said, adding that she worries the club will have the same fate as the YMCA on Washington Street that shutdown its afterschool program and closed without much warning in 2010.
Connie Viruet, another parent, said that the kids really need the club. “It’s a facility for kids who don’t have anywhere else to play on a rainy day, on a snowy day, a freezing day,” said Viruet, who has two kids at the club.
Greenberg said he appreciates all the concern for the club and especially for the kids. None of the changes, he added, mean the club is diminishing. “We are doing our best,” he said.
Hoboken Answer
8:15 am on Monday, February 13, 2012
Starve the kids, feed HoLa.
HobokenOwl
2:28 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
it sure does seem that way.
Hobbs
8:38 am on Monday, February 13, 2012
Perhaps we should be asking Councilman Occhipinti who along with one of his political alies and vote gatheres Frank "Pupie" Raia who have used their involvement with the Boys & Girls Club to the own advantage to explain what is happening?
This is not the first story on Patch about how the children who the Boys & Girls Club was created to serve have been getting less while Frank "Pupie" Raia's pet HOLA Charter School has taken more and more.
p1ywood
10:58 am on Monday, February 13, 2012
Honest question: Isn't there a conflict between Mr Raia doing paid construction at the Boys and Girl's Club facility and him being involved politically with the Board of Ed?
nice try
11:36 am on Monday, February 13, 2012
Another question is how Frank Raia, a board trustee at HoLa and financial donor managed to get the construction contract for the expansion of HoLa at the HBGC. Sure looks like a conflict of interest. Was there an open biding process for the contract?
Board of Trustees
Jennifer Hindman Sargent, President
Barbara Martinez, Vice President
Tia Narciso, Treasurer
Susan Costomiris, Trustee
Anthony Petrosino, Trustee
George Duke, Trustee
Frank Raia, Trustee
Jennifer Austin, Trustee
http://holahoboken.org/?page_id=57
Journey
9:27 am on Monday, February 13, 2012
Rice Crispies and KoolAid? If you are limited to pre packaged food, why not fruit, string cheese and bottled water? If they are going to give them sugary junk, lets just give them a big bowl of glucose tablets or and injection of pure sugar. They could serve cold food that is healthy.
Grafix Avenger
1:04 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
They are not limited to dry goods. The Director has elected to stop serving hot meals and gone to this garbage. Because it limits 'activity time'. Oh yeah? EATING is an activity.
The IS a cooking class- for HoLa. Separate and unequal.
http://grafixavenger.blogspot.com/2012/02/scandal-fire-greenberg-now.html
Kiri
9:44 am on Monday, February 13, 2012
How about a cooking class? The kids could help cook their meal.
nice try
10:54 am on Monday, February 13, 2012
The HoLa students have an after school cooking class so why don't the HBGC children join them? It appears that as HoLa programs expand the HBGC kids contracts. Hot meals are gone along with access to much of the HBGC facility now that HoLa has put up classrooms and needs the gym for their after school activities. Shameful.
Redrider765
11:17 am on Monday, February 13, 2012
Listen, the people running HOLA only care about the HOLA kids and their parents around election time when they trade checks for ballots. Once those checks clear & those votes are counted, their concern goes right out the window.
Scott M. Siegel
11:07 am on Monday, February 13, 2012
It seems that things have gone from good to bad ever since Raia and HOLA took over. The city needs a proper investigation to sort out the truth.
Redrider765
11:11 am on Monday, February 13, 2012
Yeah, well who do you think they are going to try and get on the BOE now? Raia & the rest of the HOLA gang.
p1ywood
11:32 am on Monday, February 13, 2012
Isn't it a shame how HOLA has abridged the rights of the less fortunate children for their own gain? How do they live with themselves?
pied piper
11:48 am on Monday, February 13, 2012
Couldn't you just see it:
raia, oland and delea
ya know- for an extra serving of "in your face" to the kids of the boys and girls club"
Hoboken Answer
1:14 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
City is conflicted. They lease the building to the Boys & Girls Club for $2 annually. While they should be given an opportunity to deal with the tax implications which loom large here, any serious investigation needs to come from an outside agency.
The stories about STY being bumped out have repeatedly changed. Tim Occhipinti claimed the program ended because of a grant and Carmelo Garcia is reported to have said STY outgrew the space. Neither is true.
Greenberg says the finances are better now with HoLa. Okay let's see them.
Nothing but silence from Scott Delea and Tim Occhipinti. Bring in the investigations.
Grafix Avenger
11:07 am on Monday, February 13, 2012
Outrageous. Very upsetting.
Greenberg's gotta go. The entire Board should go next.
http://grafixavenger.blogspot.com/2012/02/scandal-fire-greenberg-now.html
Hoboken Answer
11:47 am on Monday, February 13, 2012
Please don't say or do anything to hurt Scott Delea's political viability. That would upset his backers in Mrs. Richard G. Mason's family. Maybe Greenberg and his snack troupe need to go but Scott Delea and the Old Guard crap has to stay!
nice try
11:29 am on Monday, February 13, 2012
So no hot meals for the HBGC kids but there's an HoLa after school cooking class run by HHA Director Carmelo Garcia's wife. Shameful.
COOKING: Grades K-3 – 2:45-3:30 – Ms. Margarita Garcia – ($35), 12 students
This class will get kids excited about creating food and being in the kitchen, while mixing in a sprinkling of math, science, reading, Spanish & art.
http://holahoboken.org/?page_id=198
Redrider765
11:40 am on Monday, February 13, 2012
Well at least now we know the real reason why they can't cook anything at the B&G club.
Journey
11:42 am on Monday, February 13, 2012
To good from hot meals to junk food is disgusting. Lets just sign all the kids up for free ticket to have diabetes and heart disease in their future.
PeoplePlease
12:36 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
Lazy people complain. Those who really care, make changes.
Grafix Avenger
1:11 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
Pablum. The usual drivel from you.
Action follows awareness.
Hoboken Answer
1:38 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
Lane just go away. Don't you have another meeting in Newark or something?
friendly fire
1:13 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
It sounds like the problem is with director Greenberg, but the politicos in town want to trash a school because they don't like Raia. Awesome.
Redrider765
1:21 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
Uh, no, the trouble goes well beyond Greenberg to the HOLA & B&G boards. Raia is a member of the HOLA board so his involvement in this mess is fair game.
Journey
1:22 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
"Greenberg added that Hoboken has been operating at a loss for several years. However, since Spanish Immersion Charter School HoLa moved onto the second floor of the club’s building, the Hoboken facility’s finances have gotten better."
Because they are making a profit from HoLa and spending less on the B&GC kids. More in and less out is always better for the ledger book. Not so good for the kids.
friendly fire
1:31 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
Sounds like there's a problem with the B&G's directors, perhaps you should focus on that.
Grafix Avenger
1:35 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
I did.
The Director and the Board need to be replaced.
http://grafixavenger.blogspot.com/2012/02/scandal-fire-greenberg-now.html
Redrider765
1:39 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
Uh, no. The problem is not isolated to just 1 board especially considering the close relationship that exists b/w some members of the 2 boards.
friendly fire
1:42 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
wow, look at the big brain on Red. opinion = fact, nice try.
Redrider765
1:48 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
This coming from the guy who thinks his own opinion is a fact.
But way to shill for your vote harvesting buddy there.
Journey
1:46 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
I just looked at the nutritional data on Rice Crispies and Grape Kool-Aid.
That alone would give me my total allowance of sugar for the entire day. No dietary fiber. No protein. Only 2% of you daily recommended allowance of calcium. 2 grams of fat, 1 gram of it saturated. 105 grams of sodium. The only good thing is there is vitamin C.
Grafix Avenger
1:55 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
Never mind the artificial ingredients and freakish color additives which make Kool Aid glow under a black light.
Journey
2:08 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
lemon juice glows under a blacklight too. Just saying.
My father once upon a time did testing on food safe dyes that would evaporate for marking industrial rolls of aluminum foil. It had to only show up under a black light and not glow the same color as rat urine.
Grafix Avenger
2:16 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
Journey... kidding about the black light. But that was interesting!
Journey
2:22 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
The factory my dad worked at went with lemon juice to mark the inventory (a little mark on every 100th roll of foil).
What I liked about it is we had an industrial 4 foot black light at home during Halloween it made decorating real fun. I was trilled to have successfully scare away other 6th graders from my house.
Journey
1:55 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
Maybe they should be reported to the United Way (where they get funding).
friendly fire
1:57 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
Not shilling for anyone, you and i happen to agrre on many things, most of the time. I can't stand the corrupt old guard, and I love the current administration. I think that according to what's being said here about the nutritional direction that the B&G's club is taking, the problem is with their board. As much as I can't stand Raia, I'm not about to trash a school that's providing a great opportunity for the children in this town.
Redrider765
2:16 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
A great opportunity? I disagree completely. If anything it is a stolen opportunity b/c they effectively have stolen that space from the B&G club.
Journey
2:00 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
I just reached out to National organization.
Journey
2:09 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
Email sent via the website and voicemail left with the North East Regional Director.
I suggest several calls from different people would send a message.
Northeast Service Center
5 Hanover Square, Third Floor
New York, NY 10004-2657
Phone: (212) 377-6440
p1ywood
2:00 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
It certainly looks like everything that happens in that Boy's and Girl's Club building needs to be merged into one inclusive facility-wide aftercare program at 3PM each day or by definition someone is going to get the short end of the stick.
-
Why don't they just combine?
Redrider765
8:43 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
Yeah, like the HOLA parents want their kids sharing the building they misappropriated fair & square. They just want this whole stink to blow over so they can go back to running their separate but unequal after school activities.
BTW, completely agree w/ your idea and the solution is having HOLA offer absolutely no after school activities. Those kids can just join the B&G club and take part in B&G club activities. Only takes $12.
pied piper
2:07 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
Gary Greenburg:
Greenberg said it was Ladson’s decision to move the dance class to Hoboken High School, about ten blocks away at 800 Clinton St., because the school has a dance studio.
“The only reason why the dance program went up there is because he had a better place to dance,” said Greenberg. “It was better for him. It was just a better place to run a dance program.”
Ladson was unavailable for an interview before publication of this article.
Uh, Gary- you took his dedicated space and cut it into 2 classrooms for hola- where the heck was he supposed to go? Why didn't you leave that space for the 40-60 kids who used it?
Why did you break up the space and take it away from this flourishing program of 40-60 young dedicated dancers?
C.Harrison
10:06 am on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
It is unclear at this point which came first. The relocation to HHS or the re-purposing of the room. I would like to see some hard documentation either way.
pied piper
2:12 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
Would love to get a look at their (boys and girls club) financials- see if anyone got a raise in the past year or so. We know they are not using the extra money for the kids at the boys and girls club, so what are they using it for?
QJ201
3:14 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
The irony of a dual language (Spanish/English) charter school forcing out kids who are black and hispanic. And while publicly funded, clearly HoLa is going after Hoboken's middle class families with all their "at an extra charge" activities.
Enough
4:55 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
Something's not right down at the BGC, but at least they are still open and serving kids, and with all the publicity there's hope that problems will be addressed. I agree with the parent who worries about this going the way of the YMCA, who took people's money and shut down with no notice. Now they have an uncertified contractor removing asbestos up there, with residents still in the building, and there's no plan to bring back any of the after school or athletic programs. The YMCA board should also be investigated.
Redrider765
8:40 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
Well were these issues addressed last summer when they first started coming to light? Doesn't sound like it. Still making bug juice in the slop sink and feeding the kids junk food just like a few months ago. Still not letting them use the rooms to study in. Still short changing the kids who are supposed to have first dibs on every square inch of that place.
hobokenhorse.com
7:19 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
So we have the coverup on the STY group getting bounced, the kids being fed absolute garbage once HoLa arrives and not a word of interest from the Old Guard or its pawns Tim Occhipinti and Boys and Girls Club VP Scott Delea.
Looks like those HoLa kids are in good hands. Too bad about the B&G Club kids.
Fine piece of work here from Amanda Staab.
pied piper
8:18 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
Sounds like the poor kids are getting displaced by the rich people at the behest of Raia (contractor of100k addition/vbm king of the 4th ward), Garcia (housing authority executive), Greenburg (director) and Delea (boys and girls club board member); the very people who are supposed to be watching out for these kids.
I'll take odds that Occhipinti (4th ward ccman) will do as he is told and ignore this situation and the kids. Occhipinti knew of these issues from the beginning. He did nothing for the kids then and we all know how consistent he is.
Any extra money made from Hola certainly isn't being used for the boys and girls club kids (admittedly so by Greenburg himself, noting the cutbacks in the recent year). So who is making out on that cash?
I hear there is a possibility of another new charter school coming to town. Paging Mr. Greenburg....another real estate opportunity coming your way.
Redrider765
8:38 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
Timmay has been ignoring this issue for months, they all have.
Grafix Avenger
7:31 am on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Time for our POLS to speak up.
http://grafixavenger.blogspot.com/2012/02/punxsutawney-tim.html
C.Harrison
9:25 am on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
As someone that has often donated to the United Way (a financial supporter of the Boys and Girls Club), I called the regional director.
The regional director did not call me back. He gave my name and number to Mr. Greenberg. Who did call be back in less than 24 hours. Mr. Greenberg says they don't get kool-aid and Rice Krispie treats all the time. I asked him for some documentation on their menu.
C.Harrison
9:26 am on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
When asked if I had a child in the club, I said no and I was calling as a supporter of the United Way and what the Boys and Girls Club mission.
C.Harrison
10:09 am on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
I have spoken to Director of the Northeast Service Center. While the Boys and Girls Club of Hudson County is an autonomous organization and the National organization has limited oversight, he is going to look into this.
If anyone has proof, you might want to reach out to that office.
Hobbs
12:59 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Old Guard political op Frank "Pupie" Raia and his boys gathered votes to put Tim Occhipinti on the City Council so it is understanable that while Occhipniti's and handlers have remained curiously silent on this whole story.
Oh yeah, the "Old Guard" put Occhipinti on the Board of the Boy's & Girls Club to try to give him some sort of credability to those in the Fourth Ward who never heard of him before some 500 of them were hired to work as "Occhipinti" election day street workers for $40.
Journey
11:18 am on Friday, February 17, 2012
Any updates?