Funding dries up for after-school program

Funds are running out for the Mustang Kids Club, which provides activities for area youth before and after school.

The club has been funded with a five-year federal grant through the 21st Century Community Learning Center. Those funds are no longer available for the program, which is finishing up its sixth year.

"Our school needs an after-school program," director Annie Mitton said.

The club provides activities for students in the Somers-Lakeside School District, based on a variety of needs including the fact that many parents work in Kalispell until 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. each night.

"It's a great program for students to grow outside of school and keep them in a safe and healthy environment," Mitton said.

It costs roughly $100,000 to keep the program running for a year. The main expenses are salaries for the four staff members as well as supplies.

Though the club mostly provides after-school programs, it does work with students at Lakeside Elementary School an hour before school starts.

Most of that time is spent getting the kids energized through physical activities and making sure they get breakfast. It also provides time for homework and reading.

"Through this the teachers have noticed that the students that have attended this program are more energetic in the classroom, more attentive and more eager to learn," Mitton said. "Last year we had 30 percent of our student population attend this program."

The after-school programs are located at Somers Middle School and run from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on regular days and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on early-out days.

This program offers a homework zone, physical activities, mentoring, development classes, youth theatre and other activities.

Mitton estimates 90 percent of the students who attended this program attended more than 90 days out of the school year. Overall, the club services about 200 students now of all grade levels.

"Research shows that the highest incidence of risk behavior occurs between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.," Mitton said. "This provides place for kids to come do activities and stay out of trouble."

More recently organizers have especially targeted sixth through eighth graders to provide a Believe in Yourself Teen Club that prepares them for high school and builds life skills, Mitton said.

Some of the classes offered include job shadowing, community volunteer service and service learning projects.

It current serves 75 students.

The morning program is free of charge, but the afternoon programs are $15 per kid for the full year.

Mitton said she'd like to avoid raising the cost.

"We're trying to just raise the money for what is lost in grants and not raising the cost to parents," Mitton said.

Mitton has been working on exploring other grants, but options are limited for the group, which is not an official 501(c)3.

She's also beginning work with other area residents on fundraising ideas.

Support in the form of donations of money, supplies or time are all welcome, Mitton said.

"I don't think half the people know we have the program," Mitton said. "Showing them this is really important to keeping it going."

An option to donate to the Mustang Kids Club is available on the school district's website at http://somersdist29.org.