WILMINGTON, N.C. – Boys and Girls Clubs have transformed from afterschool programs to all-day learning and activity centers. A full day of operation was never part of the plans, but when the pandemic caused many schools to switch to remote instruction, the Community Boys and Girls Club of Wilmington realized these kids needed somewhere to go.

Coming home from college with her own online classes, Shelbi Long didn't expect to find herself as the education specialist at the club, but she says she wouldn't trade the experience for the world.

“This environment is so easy to think about all the negatives, but here you're seeing all the positives,” Long says. “You're seeing our future here that's not letting what society is giving them bog them down.”

Staff wasn't prepared for the sudden change, and the kids weren't quite sure how to handle learning in a place they associate with relaxation and fun. But they persevered and now many months later, the system is working flawlessly. The bonds between staff and student are evident.

“To build that trust was hard, but now to have it and to have those relationships,” Long says. “Each kid I have a different relationship with, each kid I know their strengths, and I know some things they may need to work on, but I think what's important is realizing where we can go together.”

Their goal is to provide a place that parents can both afford and trust with their child's education. They've managed to absorb the cost of bringing on more staff, operating longer hours and serving three meals a day to each child, so that parents are still only paying the normal $25 annual fee.

“It's difficult because we do have to adapt, but we just have to keep these kids in mind and realize what would be best for them throughout this transition and how we can help the school system,” Long says.