EMPORIA (KSNT) – A series of afterschool programs in Emporia are ending due to a lack of funding.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of South Central Kansas (BGCSCK) announced on its website that it is ending its Emporia afterschool programs ahead of the upcoming 2026 school year. The organization stated the decision was not made easily and was not taken due to a lack of funding alone.
“BGCSCK doesn’t go where the money is; they go where they are needed. The program came to Emporia because the community asked for support, and they chose to stay because of their belief in supporting children. But after years of effort, when sustainable community investment didn’t come together, the Board of Directors had to make the most responsible choice for the future of the organization and the families that they serve.”
BGCSCK statement excerpt
The Emporia School District USD 253 helped provide funding to the BGCSCK after it began pushing for expanded access to safe and consistent afterschool programs for local students in 2022. The initial afterschool work consisted of serving students at six different sites at the cost of $800,000 per year.
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The BGCSCK reported that despite making several grant applications and pursuing outreach to community partners, it was not able to secure the required finances to meet its needs. The organization said it is grateful to the groups that did step up to help cover costs such as the Emporia Community Foundation and Walter S. and Evan C. Jones Foundation.
“This decision is heartbreaking – but it’s rooted in the financial realities of sustaining high-quality programs,” said Junnae Campbell, CEO of BGCSCK. “We’ve been transparent with the district from the start about what it takes to run this program. Our team followed every recommendation, met with every suggested contact, and applied for every viable grant. We came to Emporia because we wanted to provide a safe space for children and families – but a program like this simply can’t survive without broad community backing.”
The BGCSCK said it will cancel operations in Emporia prior to the start of the next school year. You can learn more about this recent decision by heading to the BGCSCK’s website by clicking here.
“This is not about giving up – it’s about being honest,” Campbell said. “We are proud of the impact we made in Emporia, and we stand by the effort, care, and integrity we brought to this community. We hope others will continue to build on the work that’s begun here.”
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