The funds will keep after-school programs at Copper View and Midvale Elementary schools operational for another school year.
"It's a good day," said Wendy Thompson, area director of the club sites in Midvale and West Jordan.
Bob Dunn, director of the South Valley Boys and Girls Club, commended the council for stepping forward and helping to fill the gap left by the absence of federal funding for the programs this year.
The nonprofit organization plans to leverage the Midvale funding, along with donations from other sources, including a recent $90,000 contribution from Salt Lake County to continue the programs for the long term.
The South Valley clubs were initially launched with a federally funded grant that provided $1.5 million annually for three consecutive years. Those dollars kept 12 sites running, but federal dollars ran out last year and the 12 sites shrank to five.
By June, the well had run dry and programs would be discontinued altogether if communities, corporations and private donors did not step forward. While current donations will allow two sites to reopen this fall, East Midvale Elementary School will not be able to continue its after-school programs.
"Overall, our programs have served more than 10,000 kids. We keep them from falling through the cracks," Dunn said. "We've been able to help a number of them finish high school and get scholarships to go on to college."
The organization offers programs to benefit entire families - such as ESL and computer classes, employment placement and referral services, a driver license program, parenting classes, legal system mentoring and clothing assistance.
Midvale's contribution came from the city's 2005 fund balance of $535,000.
One council member, Wayne Sharp, voted against the donation, although he said he supports the work of the Boys and Girls Club.
"I don't think we should be paying for the Boys and Girls program this year with this money, after we asked the police, fire and public works personnel to pinch pennies all year long," Sharp said.
cmckitrick@sltrib.com
