THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 16, 1995 TAG: 9507160068
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MICHELLE SNIPE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 90 lines
The doors of the Southside Boys and Girls Club haven't opened yet, but dozens of kids are out there. Mostly teenagers, they stand in the sun with arms crossed on this steamy morning, waiting.
Waiting to shoot hoops or hit the game room. The younger ones clutch dollar bills for today's field trip.
For generations, the doors of the Berkley club have swung open creating a haven for kids to learn and grow. Kids like Bernard Butts, 15, who has been a member at the club for five years and is spending the summer working with the gym instructor.
But with a $50,000 budget deficit, the doors may not always swing open as wide. The club faces programming and staff cuts, and may be forced to turn some of the 305 members away at the doors.
``Without funding, we can't operate,'' says Elwood Williams, the club's executive director and longtime advocate.
Three of the club's major contributors have come up short this year, he said.
The original deficit was $80,000, but United Way and anonymous sources have cut it by donating $30,000.
Since he was told of the problem three weeks ago, Williams has been thinking up ways to close the budget gap.
``Several things went through my mind,'' he says. One idea was to retire so that his salary could be contributed to the deficit.
``But that's the chicken way out. I teach kids to keep fighting,'' says Williams, who is in his early 50s. And the club wouldn't be the same without the familiar, smiling face of the ``coach.''
``In tight situations, he has always managed,'' says Kenneth Cooper Alexander, who became a member in 1972, one year before Williams arrived. ``He never lets his members down.''
Staying true to his kids, Coach Williams says, ``We're not going to give up without a fight.''
This is the same attitude that hauled the club out of a financial crisis in 1981 when Williams pulled his club together to raise $800,000.
This time, Williams is using sidewalk and T-shirt sales, overnighters and private donations. He hopes to raise $15,000 by the end of the summer.
Every Friday, club members hit the sidewalks selling donated bicycles, bathing suits, sneakers and other things to save their club and keep their coach.
So far, the club has raised $900 from sidewalk sales.
Twice during the summer, the club sponsors overnighters: one for boys and one for girls, where the coach and his staff let children watch movies, have snacks and spend the night at the club. The cost is $25.
The Southside club at 701 E. Berkley Ave. was founded in 1968. It was the first in this area that was founded by and for blacks. Since arriving in 1973, Williams has ``seen it go from a caterpillar to a butterfly.''
Barbara Twine, a Chesapeake resident who spends her summer working at the club, said there is a lack of monetary support from the community because most people don't realize what the club has to offer.
In addition to recreational facilities, the club has performing arts, drug and cultural awareness programs, leadership teams and arts and crafts.
``We try to have diversified programming to meet the interests of all the kids,'' Williams said.
Educational and tutorial programs are also available year-round.
``Lots of kids fall behind early in school, so this program gives them a little bit extra to take back with them or brings them up to speed,'' Williams added.
Twine, who teaches 7- and 8-year-old girls during the summer says, ``We have fun and at the same time the kids have quality educational experiences that most kids miss during the summer.''
Williams said he's maintained all the summer programs because ``kids deserve the best programming they can get.''
However, he is afraid that if they have to make cuts, recreational programs would go and kids will end up on the streets.
Alexander, who now works as a funeral director, said ``If the club doesn't get funding, we'd have to turn kids away. And they may be recruited by social ills becoming negative statistics.''
The club keeps 300 to 305 kids off the street every day.
``This is the best place to come because there's no drugs and violence,'' said Butts, who likes to play basketball and hopes to attend Old Dominion University to study engineering.
If recreational programs are cut, Butts warned, ``A whole lot of people wouldn't come to the club.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by RICHARD L. DUNSTON, Staff
Elwood Williams, director of the Southside Boys and Girls Club,
talks with Bobby Greggs, 9, on the basketball court. Williams is
worried about the club's $50,000 budget deficit.
by CNB