Malta Boys & Girls Club celebrates 10 Years with Open House & Fine Arts Exhibit

Malta Boys & Girls Club is celebrating ten years with an Open House Birthday Bash and Fine Arts Exhibit on Tuesday, November 10th, from 5-7pm!

“Our Kids are One in a Minion” is the theme of the event. The community is encouraged to take a tour of the Club, enjoy delicious minion cookies, and admire the creativity of our members at the Fine Arts Exhibit.

Malta Boys & Girls Club, opened its doors November 1st, 2005, as an Extension Club of the Boys & Girls Club of the Hi-Line, in Havre, Montana, and to this date have served over 532 members. Since its beginning, the Club has become an important resource for youth and families in our community.

The Club is open Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays after school until 5:30pm during the school year and from 1:00 pm-5:00 pm during the summer. A free healthy snack is served after school through the CACFP (Child Adult Care Food Program). The program serves an average daily attendance of 40-50 youth ages 6 to 18 year round. One of their core beliefs is that the club is a safe place to learn and grow. The Cub is staffed by adult professionals trained in upholding positive standards of conduct with genuine care for each child.

Carol L. Smith, the Executive Director, and Sonia Young, Club Unit Director, were both part of forming the Malta Boys and Girls Club since its beginning, ten years ago. Monica Plouffe has been with the Club for four years, starting out in the Power Hour Center and is currently staffing the Games Room. Elaine Stannebeine, has been both the Power Hour and Snack Room staff person for the past three years. Gina Lamb has served as the Front Desk Coordinator for almost two years. John Waters, has helped in the Games Room, Tech Lab and Teen Room for over a year. Linda Mingeau has helped with homework in the Power Hour Center and Snack Room. The newest staff member is Katrina Rich, who became part of the team in the Arts & Crafts Center, in June of 2015.

Malta Boys & Girls Club afterschool program was awarded a 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant in 2007, through the Montana Office of Public Instruction. Strategies and activities were designed to meet the needs and interests of youth and families. They have developed partnerships with local schools, community businesses, civic groups and organizations.

Some of the programming offered includes: comprehensive homework help and tutoring; high yield academic activities; peer mentoring programs; field trips and summer learning activities; opportunities for participation in the Arts; Service Learning; Drug and Violence Prevention; Character & Leadership Development; Physical Fitness & Healthy Lifestyles; and quarterly Family Events, Classes and Activities.

The Malta Boys & Girls Club is housed in the former St. Mary’s Catholic School, located at 101 South 7th Street West in Malta. The Club is conveniently located between the Malta Elementary School and the Malta Middle and High schools.

Built in the early 1900’s, the building was the first high school in Phillips County. It went on to become the first elementary school, until a new school was built and was then sold to the St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Many of its past students come back to visit and tour their former school. Its purpose has always been to serve youth in the community and the legacy continues through the Malta Boys & Girls Club of the Hi-Line afterschool program.