Onie Norman presented information at a special called meeting of the Dumas City Council about starting a Boy's & Girls Club in Dumas Thursday, June 23, 2022.
Norman provided information about the history of the program and why it is needed in Dumas. The Club will get the help it needs to open with the help of the McGehee Boys & Girls Club by coming under their charter for one year and then operate as an individual organization. The McGhee Club is planning to rebrand itself as The Boys & Girls Club of Southeast Arkansas serving children in McGehee, Dermott and Dumas. At this time, The Boys & Girls Club of America is currently not issuing any new charters. Norman said they are working on creating a committee for the Dumas Club.
Norman spoke about how the Dumas School District is interested in working with them on the project. They have classroom space at Reed Elementary and use of their gyms open as a meeting place until a building is available for the project. The Club will be available for children from Kindergarten to 12 grade and it will be a place for them to go after school from 3-6 p.m. Tutoring will be included. The club will also provide summer jobs for other children and others. There will be a participation fee for club participants with possible assistance for low income families.
The idea of a boys and girls club in Dumas began back around 2007, but did not happen at that time. The new plans will include reworking old ideas for the new program.
